Tamil demo threat to city rush hour

Apr 7 2009

Police have warned of disruption to central London rush hour traffic as Tamil protesters continued to occupy one of the city's major bridges.

As many as 5,000 demonstrators gathered in streets around the Houses of Parliament on Monday afternoon to protest over the Sri Lankan government's offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels and alleged human rights abuses.

Westminster Bridge and a number of surrounding roads remain closed to traffic as the protest continues.

Numbers involved in the demo have dwindled to around 900 during the night, police said.

One man was rescued after he jumped into the River Thames at about 6pm. He was taken to hospital and his condition is not believed to be serious. Fellow protesters said the man was from Mitcham, south London.

Four RNLI lifeboats were on standby in the river amid concerns other demonstrators would attempt to throw themselves off the bridge.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said the protest was peaceful and there had been no arrests so far.

The protesters, some of whom were waving flags bearing a Tamil emblem, included women and children.

The Sri Lankan government has rejected international calls for a ceasefire, claiming it is on the verge of defeating the Tamil Tigers rebel group, which is fighting for an independent homeland.

However, the United Nations says up to 150,000 people are trapped in the war zone in the north of the country.