Tamil demonstrators block Frankfurt train traffic

The demonstrators occupied outgoing train tracks, forcing German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn and police officers to stop train traffic to ensure their safety. Security officials also cut power to portions of the train station.

Police said the protest, meant to highlight the hardships experienced by the Tamil ethnic minority in Sri Lanka, ended peacefully. After approximately one and a half hours, the group moved to the city centre for a closing rally.

The Tamils, who make up about 18 percent of the Sri Lankan population, say the Sinhalese majority is trying to end a long-running civil war without regard for the civilian population.

The protests came after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his country had “militarily defeated” the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – a militant organisation fighting for an independent Tamil state.