Tamil protest in London turns violent
A member of the Tamil community stands in front of a banner during a demonstration outside the United Nations Offices on Monday in Geneva. Shocked Tamils mounted a vigil outside the UN offices urging international action to help the minority after Sri Lanka declared a final victory over Tiger rebels. Photo: AFP
A protest outside Britain's parliament turned violent early Tuesday as relief agencies and governments called for urgent humanitarian aid after Sri Lanka announced defeat for Tamil Tiger rebels.
As Sri Lankan television broadcast footage of what it said was the body of Velupillai Prabhakaran, with the Tamil rebel leader's face visible, three police officers and five protesters were in hospital and 10 protesters under arrest in London.
The clashes broke out when police moved to disperse 2,500 Tamils who staged a sit-down outside parliament, with Scotland Yard claiming another 21 officers received minor injuries.
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