|
The streets of London were once again the battlefield for the worlds grievances after an illegal pro Tamil protest outside the Houses of Parliment erupted in violence. Four people were arrested during the face off between up to 500 protesters and police around 4pm. 3,000 were involved in the demonstration, which started yesterday, and is still ongoing. Officers, police boats and vans are ringing the area which is filled with chanting flag waving protesters, openly displaying the emblem of the Tamil Tigers - a banned terrorist group in the UK. Westminster Bridge and surrounding roads were closed during this mornings rush hour causing major traffic disruption.
'Kettled' in - man jumps in Thames
Hundreds of demonstrators were 'kettled' to move them off the roads and into Parliament Square, sparking sporadic violence similar to that witness at the G20 protests last week. Several protesters needed medical attention for minor injuries including one man who jumped into the into the Thames on Monday - another hurled himself into the chilly waters today. Protesters want the UK government to act to end war in Sri Lanka.
"Ignored warning"
A police spokesman said the group had ignored a warning to disperse so officers moved in to clear the roads and moved them onto the green outside Parliament. Police made four arrests - one for violent disorder, another for breach of the peace and two for public order offences.
UN call for "urgent ceasefire" - Civil war nearing end
The upheaval comes during the death throws of the Tamil Tiger uprising and a 25 year old civil war in Sri Lanka draws to an end. The United Nations says 150,000 people are trapped in the northern war zone while Tamils claim they are victims of human rights abuses. Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the rebels, who want independence - the group is staring defeat in the face after being pushed back onto a narrow peninsular. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the UK government was "very concerned" about civilians caught up in fighting and stressed the need for a humanitarian ceasefire. The United Nations says more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and 7,000 others injured in the fighting in the north-east in the last two months. The Sri Lankan government disputes these figures. Photo - Flickr - Quarsan
|
