SLN arrests 95 Pesalai civilians fleeing to Tamilnadu

[TamilNet, Sunday, 13 August 2006, 07:06 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian trawler with 95 Tamil civilians from Pesalai village in Mannar district while on its way to South Indian coast, Sunday. These villagers following the volatile situation in Mannar decided to seek refuge in Tamilnadu in South India, sources said.



The SLN later handed over 95 Pesalai villagers to the Talaimannar Police Station. The SLA handed over four Indian fishermen who were taking these Tamil civilians to India, police sources said.

The Indian trawler seized is in the custody of the Sri Lanka Navy, sources said.

Tamil civilians and Indian fishermen are expected to be produced in Mannar Magistrate's Court Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Meanwhile, The Sri Lanka Army Sunday morning re-opened its entry point located at Madhu junction in the government controlled territory in Mannar district, enabling pilgrims from the south of the country to go historic Madhu Church located the Liberation Tigers controlled territory. The entry point in LTTE held area is not yet opened, sources said.

The SLA check point located in Uyilankulam remains closed, sources said.