SLN, Police instruct Vanni IDPs away from Mannaar island

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 March 2008, 18:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy and Police officials in Mannaar island have instructed the civil authorities at Mannaar District Secretariat not to accommodate refugees who arrive to the Island from Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled areas in recent days by boats within the Mannaar island. 28 persons from 8 families who have arrived by boat from Moon'raam piddi, Valaippaadu and Naachchikkudaa from LTTE controlled areas by boat to the Mannaar island were taken by the SL forces to Naanaaddan in the mainland to an old rice mill building.

Officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and Police have also instructed other IDPs who had arrived prior to 29 February to Mannaar island to be present at the detention centre in Naanaaddaan.

The IDPs who arrived by boats to Pa'l'limunai in Mannaar and to Koa'ndaippiddi on Mannaar Pa'l'limunai Road have been initially cleared by the Sri Lanka Navy and handed over to the Police who forwarded the IDPs to the District Secretariat.

However, the Police has taken away those who were earlier handed over to District Secretariat to Naanaaddaan, citing security reasons, without considering the objections by the IDPs who wish to stay with their relatives in Mannaar island.

Chronology: