Over 70 arrested during demo in India over Lankan refugees

Over 70 protesters?were arrested in Vellore, Tamil Nadu yesterday during a demonstration?staged over several demands. including?the closure of all special camps for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

The Hindu newspaper reported that seventy-three persons comprising 65 volunteers of the Naam Thamizhar Katchi and eight of the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were arrested as they attempted to lay siege to the Central Prison for men as part of a state-wide agitation.

The volunteers demanded grant of general pardon and release of all prisoners who have been imprisoned for more than 23 years, ?who have been denied justice?, release of all political prisoners who are in jail for more than 10 years, and the closure of all special camps for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees and permission for them to join their families.

The police erected a barricade at the junction of Azad Road and Central Jail Road and prevented the volunteers from proceeding towards the jail. (Colombo Gazette)