Students in Sri Lanka’s former war zone clashed with troops and police on Wednesday over celebrations to commemorate defeated Tamil Tiger guerrillas, residents said.
At least 20 undergraduates were injured when troops and police beat up stone-pelting students outside Jaffna university, a witness said.
It was the first major clash since security forces crushed Tamil rebels in May 2009.
Police and troops had stormed university dormitories on Tuesday searching for Tamil Tiger propaganda after students tried to mark “heroes’ week” – the last week of November when Tiger guerrillas used to commemorate fallen comrades.
“The students gathered inside the university and came out to protest the military action (of Tuesday) when fighting erupted (on Wednesday),” a witness said, asking not to be identified.
He said the vehicle of a local Tamil legislator was also damaged as he tried to stop the violence.