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by Ranga Jayasuriya

Some 1,000 people yesterday staged a protest opposite the Shivam Kovil in Trincomalee demanding the release of Tamil Nadu politician Vaiko who is now under arrest for his support for the LTTE.

The Trinco Police said some 1,000 people holding placards fasted from 8 am to 4 pm opposite the Kovil against the arrest of Vaiko. Some schoolchildren in uniforms were also present, police said. The protest was organised by the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

M.K. Vaiko was arrested by the Jayalalitha administration under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for his speeches supporting the LTTE.

Contacted by the Daily News, TULF General Secretary R. Sampanthan said the TULF had no desire to meddle with internal policies of India, but added the protest was to "show that Tamil people in Sri Lanka are unhappy about the arrest of Vaiko".

"We demand his release since the arrest of Vaiko at a time when the whole country moves towards peace is detrimental to the peace prospects here," he said, adding the "arrest is totally unnecessary". 

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