Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thousnads of students take to the streets against police killing


Photo courtesy: lankatruth

News First
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University students gathered opposite the Fort railway station and carried out a protest and a 'sathyagraha' campaign on Wednesday (28).

It was organised by the Inter University Students' Federation.

Udul Premaratne, convenor of the Federation, said that the protest was organised against the alleged incident where Ruhuna university student Susantha Bandara died due to a police assault.


The Federation added that the protest was being carried out to force the authorities to arrest the police officers responsible for the incident.

Newsfirst correspondent at the protest said that a large number of students were participating at the protest and added that they were carrying placards with pictures of the student who was allegedly killed.

Newsfirst cameras captured the Anti-riot squads and police stationed in several locations in the city from morning. A heavy deployment of security personnel could be observed at the Department of Higher Education and in Fort.

Despite these measures, large numbers of students could be seen arriving at the venue to take part in the protest campaign.

Speaking to Newsfirst at the venue, Udul Premaratne, convenor of the Inter University Student's Federation said that once the protest was organised, the government had threatened bus owners to hinder transport.

“We demand that the government arrest those police officers responsible for the death of student Susantha Bandara. He died due to an assault by the police. He was hit on the head and the government was attempting to shy away from the responsibility by allowing a student to be killed in this manner by blaming it on another student,” said Premaratne.

The students concluded the protest around 5.30pm and dispersed peacefully.

© News First

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