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Clashes as Tamils rally in London Six arrests at Tamil London demo
(about 2 hours later)
Six people have been arrested during clashes between the police and Tamils who are staging an ongoing protest outside the Houses of Parliament.Six people have been arrested during clashes between the police and Tamils who are staging an ongoing protest outside the Houses of Parliament.
Scores of police officers boxed in hundreds of demonstrators to move them off the roads and into Parliament Square, sparking minor scuffles.Scores of police officers boxed in hundreds of demonstrators to move them off the roads and into Parliament Square, sparking minor scuffles.
Some needed medical attention for minor injuries and a man is in hospital after jumping into the Thames on Monday.Some needed medical attention for minor injuries and a man is in hospital after jumping into the Thames on Monday.
Protesters want the UK government to act to end war in Sri Lanka.Protesters want the UK government to act to end war in Sri Lanka.
Illegal protestIllegal protest
The Metropolitan Police say numbers are rising, with 1,000 people currently at the demonstration, which at its height saw 3,000 protesters take to the streets of central London.The Metropolitan Police say numbers are rising, with 1,000 people currently at the demonstration, which at its height saw 3,000 protesters take to the streets of central London.
Police tackle protesters at Westminster
Angry protesters have been chanting and waving banners, and there has been some pushing and shoving.Angry protesters have been chanting and waving banners, and there has been some pushing and shoving.
After one surge, three people were taken away on stretchers after cans and a stick were thrown, according to reports.After one surge, three people were taken away on stretchers after cans and a stick were thrown, according to reports.
A police spokesman said officers were continuing to negotiate with protest leaders to "avoid having to make a huge number of arrests".A police spokesman said officers were continuing to negotiate with protest leaders to "avoid having to make a huge number of arrests".
He said they had issued "repeated requests" for images representing the Tamil Tigers - a proscribed organisation in the UK - be removed.He said they had issued "repeated requests" for images representing the Tamil Tigers - a proscribed organisation in the UK - be removed.
The Met police said one protester was held on suspicion of carrying a flag supporting a proscribed organisation, under the Terrorism Act 2000.The Met police said one protester was held on suspicion of carrying a flag supporting a proscribed organisation, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Police made five other arrests which included violent disorder, breach of the peace and public order offences.Police made five other arrests which included violent disorder, breach of the peace and public order offences.
'Urgent ceasefire''Urgent ceasefire'
A second man jumped into the Thames on Tuesday morning, but was quickly recovered, say police.A second man jumped into the Thames on Tuesday morning, but was quickly recovered, say police.
The UN says 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone while Tamils claim they are victims of human rights abuses.The UN says 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone while Tamils claim they are victims of human rights abuses.
These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters Suren SurendiranBritish Tamils Forum In pictures: Tamils' London rally Tamil protesters vent their fury Sri Lankans tell of war ordeal These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters Suren SurendiranBritish Tamils Forum In pictures: Tamils' London rally Tamil protesters vent their fury Sri Lankans tell of war ordeal
Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, which wants independence.Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, which wants independence.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted the UK government was "very concerned" about civilians caught up in fighting in Sri Lanka and the need for a humanitarian ceasefire was now "even more urgent".Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted the UK government was "very concerned" about civilians caught up in fighting in Sri Lanka and the need for a humanitarian ceasefire was now "even more urgent".
Meanwhile, a diplomatic row blew up over Mr Miliband's recent comment that he was disappointed Sri Lanka had rejected the appointment of former defence minister Des Browne as a special envoy.Meanwhile, a diplomatic row blew up over Mr Miliband's recent comment that he was disappointed Sri Lanka had rejected the appointment of former defence minister Des Browne as a special envoy.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Britain had failed to adhere to the time-honoured diplomatic practice of consultation.Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Britain had failed to adhere to the time-honoured diplomatic practice of consultation.
The illegal protest has been going on outside Parliament since 1600 BST (1500 GMT) on Monday.The illegal protest has been going on outside Parliament since 1600 BST (1500 GMT) on Monday.
FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
Participants failed to give notice of the demonstration and have been waving flags showing the emblem of the Tamil Tigers, which is banned in the UK as a terrorist organisation.Participants failed to give notice of the demonstration and have been waving flags showing the emblem of the Tamil Tigers, which is banned in the UK as a terrorist organisation.
Suren Surendiran, of the British Tamils Forum, said the protest had been led by students, but that people of all ages from across the UK had joined in.Suren Surendiran, of the British Tamils Forum, said the protest had been led by students, but that people of all ages from across the UK had joined in.
Police have made six arrestsPolice have made six arrests
"These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters," he said."These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters," he said.
"As British citizens, they want the UK government to act. Rather than just calling for a ceasefire, they should go to the UN security council to demand one.""As British citizens, they want the UK government to act. Rather than just calling for a ceasefire, they should go to the UN security council to demand one."
Many protesters carried banners with slogans such as "Stop Sri Lanka's Genocide of Tamils".Many protesters carried banners with slogans such as "Stop Sri Lanka's Genocide of Tamils".
In recent weeks, the clashes between security forces and Tamil Tigers have intensified as the security forces enter what they say is a final push to defeat the rebels and end nearly three decades of conflict.In recent weeks, the clashes between security forces and Tamil Tigers have intensified as the security forces enter what they say is a final push to defeat the rebels and end nearly three decades of conflict.
The United Nations says more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and 7,000 others injured in the fighting in the north-east in the last two months. The Sri Lankan government disputes these figures.The United Nations says more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and 7,000 others injured in the fighting in the north-east in the last two months. The Sri Lankan government disputes these figures.
Mr Miliband said: "Nothing excuses the reported use of civilians by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) as a human shield.Mr Miliband said: "Nothing excuses the reported use of civilians by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) as a human shield.
"But nor does the LTTE's behaviour excuse any failings by the Sri Lankan government to meet the high standards expected of democratic governments in conflict.""But nor does the LTTE's behaviour excuse any failings by the Sri Lankan government to meet the high standards expected of democratic governments in conflict."
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said he would deliver a letter to Downing Street on Wednesday calling for the situation to be debated by the UN Security Council, signed by a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs.Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said he would deliver a letter to Downing Street on Wednesday calling for the situation to be debated by the UN Security Council, signed by a number of Labour and Lib Dem MPs.


Did you witness the protest? You can send us your views using the form below.Did you witness the protest? You can send us your views using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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