LTTE mobs during a protest demonstration have turned violent and smashed the windows of the Indian and Sri Lankan High Commission buildings in London today (April 27). By stone throwing two Metropolitan police officers have been injured at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises and admitted to hospital.
An LTTE mob engaged in a demonstration in Central London became violent and demolished windows of the Indian High Commission building at Aldwych in Central London. Meanwhile, a smaller mob demonstrating in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens were also involved in stone throwing to break windows. Police said the mob at the Indian High Commission tried to enter the building through the reception area but were pushed back.
In their earlier demonstration, the London based LTTE mobs beheaded a Jawaharlal Nehru statue put up by the Westminster City Council close to the Indian high Commission about two weeks ago.
The second demonstration in front of the Indian High Commission saw a participation of about 150 hardcore LTTE supporters. The violent demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, with the mob throwing small missiles at the High Commission Building, situated in a busy spot in Central London. The mob reported to have smashed up eight windows on the ground floor.
The demonstration in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission at the Hyde Park Gardens was a smaller one with the participation of 30 odd LTTE supporters . The mob has reportedly smashed one window of the Sri Lanka High Commission .
The supporters of the LTTE think the survival of Prabhakaran is vital for movement to sustain and carry on with the separatist movement with terrorism, a political analyst said.
The Metropolitan Police said, “Three people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at the Indian High Commission, and at the Sri Lankan High Commission, one person has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, one on suspicion of criminal damage and one on suspicion of a public order offence. Two police officers, on duty outside the Sri Lankan embassy, have been taken to hospital with injuries.
By Walter Jayawardhana