This Article is From May 05, 2009

Tamil protesters block Indian embassy in UK

Tamil protesters block Indian embassy in UK

AP image

London: Tamil protestors staged a protest in front of the Indian High Commission in London on Tuesday, prompting the Mission to serve a demarche to the British Foreign Office asking for adequate security to prevent demonstrators from paralysing its operations.The Indian High Commission lodged a complaint after about 200 to 300 demonstrators, carrying banned LTTE flags and placards shouted slogans, while blockading the entrance of the mission at Aldwych this morning.Under the Vienna Convention, UK is obliged to provide adequate protection to the Indian Mission here and ensure its normal functioning. Britain, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council is also duty-bound to provide adequate security to the Missions of the UN member countries.The demarche was sent to the South Asia Directorate of the British Foreign Office. It asked UK to stop supporters of the banned Tamil Tigers from blockading the High Commission and paralysing its operation, an official said.Supporters of the LTTE, demanding a ceasefire in the country's battered north, had a fortnight ago launched a violent protest at the High Commission, smashing glass windows at the building.

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