Annai Poopathy remembered across North-East

by Thusiyan
Apr 21, 2019

Image courtesy of @saygi

Across the Tamil homeland, commemoration events were held to mark the anniversary of the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted to death 31 years ago n protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

As member of the Navatkerny Mother's Front, Poopathy Kanapathipillai from Batticaloa, commenced a fast unto death on March 19 1988, calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks between the IPKF and the LTTE.

Her fast ended on April 19 with her death. 

Her 28 year old son had been shot dead by the Sri Lankan army and another son randomly shot dead by the Special Task Force. Another son, arrested during round up operations, was held in Boosa army camp and subjected to severe torture.

In commemoration of her fast, family members of the disappeared in Vavuniya held a Hindu ceremony and led a rally through the town. The rally also marked 790 days of their protest.

In Mullaitivu former Northern Provincial Council member T Ravikaran also led a commemoration event with local politicians and civil society officials.

Members of the TNPF also marked the occasion, with a commemorative event at their office in Jaffna.

And also in Jaffna students at Jaffna University laid flowers and lit candles before a garlanded portrait of Annai Poopathy.

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