18 | March | 2013 | Impressions

Here is the news that appeared in the Deccan Chronicle on March 17, 2013.

Lankan monk roughed up in Thanjavur temple

Student Monk from Sti Lanka roughed up at Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India. — Student Monk from Sti Lanka roughed up at Brahadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India. (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)

Thanjavur: A Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, currently pursuing archaeological studies in Delhi University, was roughed up by some activists of pro-Tamil Eelam outfits at the world renowned Big Temple here on Saturday.

The Lankan had come here as part of a 20-member team, comprising students of postgraduate diploma in archaeology in Delhi University, on a study tour to the 1,000-year-old Brahadeeswarar temple.

As the students were going around Big Temple, a group of activists belonging to various outfits, including the MDMK and Naam Tamizhar Katchi, singled out the Sri Lankan national, clad in saffron robes, and beat him up, the police said. The attackers also raised slogans demanding that he leave Tamil Nadu immediately.

Besides the lone Sri Lankan, four Myanmaris were also part of the team while others were Indians, sources said.

The monk was escorted safely to the local archaeological office from where the students left in a van to Tiruchy en route to Chennai. But, when the van was nearing Tiruchy, some unidentified persons pelted stones and slippers on it near Ariyamangalam. Though the van was damaged, the occupants escaped unhurt.

The police escorted the visiting students to the airport. Later, the Sri Lankan national left for Chennai by flight.

Twelve activists were taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Video – Here is a video clip posted on Nakkheeran Web TV:

Sri Lankan monk assaulted (thehindu.com)
Pro-Eelam activists rough up Lankan monk at Brihadeeswarar temple (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Video: Budhist Monk Is Roughed Up By A Group Of Tamil Nationalist In Tamil Nadu (oneislandtwonationsblogspotcom.typepad.com)
Lankan Buddhist priest roughed up in Tamil Nadu (niticentral.com)
SRI LANKAN BUDDHIST PRIEST ROUGHED UP IN SOUTH INDA (lankaonglobe.wordpress.com)

Deccan Chronicle – Monday, March 18, 2013

Attack on Mahabodhi society warded off

Police personnel deployed in front of Mahabodhi society in Egmore after a group of men tried to attack the building. (Photo - Deccan Chronicle) — Police personnel deployed in front of Mahabodhi society in Egmore after a group of men tried to attack the building. (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)

Chennai: In yet another attack on Sri Lanka-linked establishments in Tamil Nadu, a group of men tried to vandalise the Mahabodhi society in Egmore on Sunday.

The police arrested 18 cadres of Naam Tamilar Katchi in connection with the attempt to break into the society office in Kennet Lane opposite the city police commissioner’s office. Anticipating trouble, city police had deployed a small team of armed police to guard the society.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of around 20 people reached Kennet Lane around noon and broke open the lock of a gate of the society.

“There were three only policemen who, however, prevented the protesters from doing further damage even as they sought additional personnel to handle the situation. Over 50 policemen were rushed to the spot.

The agitators were picked up before they could enter the society building where a number of visiting Sri Lankans, mostly Buddhist monks, stay on their visits to the city,” the police said. All arrested were remanded to judicial custody.