The Chief Minister of Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, has appealed to the people of the province, especially the youth, to be calm as they mourn the death of two university students by the police.

In a statement released from London, the Chief Minister said that while conveying his condolences to the bereaved families, he would appeal to the people not to express their anger and grief in ways which would have unpleasant consequences.

Chief Minister said that he would not comment on the incident before the court had given its verdict. All that he would say now is that the apparently, doctrine of using minimum force had not been observed by the police.

The hartal held yesterday in Jaffna was peaceful. Government offices, banks and commercial establishments were shut as no one turned up for work. 

Schools and the university were shut. All public transport vehicles were off the roads from 6 am to 6 pm. 

No untoward incidents reported. Students of ten other universities held demonstrations in support.