Uyilankulam, Madhu check points' closure affects Tamil civilians

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 August 2006, 13:06 GMT]
Since the closure of Uyilankulam and Madhu checkpoints in Mannar district by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) from August 11 acute shortage for food, fuel and medicine is prevailing in LTTE held villages located in the divisions of Manthai West and Madhu as transport of such items is not allowed through these checkpoints.

Furthermore about several hundred residents who came to government controlled areas for emergency medical treatment and other official matters have been stranded in Mannar town unable to return to their villages. About two hundred civilians including around 50 Sinhalese who went to LTTE areas for construction work and other official purposes have also got stranded there unable to return to the homes in the south, sources said.

Mr.V.Visuvalingam, Mannar Government Agent has requested the District Military Commander to re-open the check points at Uyilankulam and Madhu enabling the stranded civilians on both sides to return to their own areas and also to allow the transport of food items to LTTE held areas where people are suffering without enough food and other essential items including fuel, sources said.

The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) officials are reported to have been in contact with LTTE to obtain positive response to re-open their checkpoints located in their area, sources said.