Sampur retake spurs return of Muttur populace
Ranil WIJAYAPALA
MUTTUR: The retaking of Sampur by the Security Forces on Monday has
driven confidence into the population of Muttur with more than 75 per
cent of the families who fled the area in fear of LTTE attacks on August
5, returning to their homes after a month's enforced stay in Kantale.
Disaster Relief Minister Ameer Ali told the Daily News yesterday that
more than 50 per cent families who left Muttur on August 5 had returned
to Muttur by yesterday morning and he was expecting the figure would go
up to 75 per cent by yesterday evening.
The Government under the Jathika Saviya programme yesterday initiated
a programme to provide transport facilities for the people returning to
Muttur from Kantale.
"We provided 80 buses for the people returning to Muttur today
itself," the Minister added.
According to the Minister, there were 10,000 families living in
Muttur and the majority of them have returned to Muttur as at present.
"Our first priority is to provide them with transport facilities to
return to Muttur with their belongings. Later on we can provide them
with other facilities," he said.
The recapturing of Sampur by the Security Forces on Monday allayed
the fears of civilians about possible LTTE attacks on Muttur.
Only 590 families remained in refugee camps in Muttur despite the
conflict situation there.
More than 40,000 people who lived in temporary huts in Kantale and
Seruwila and Serunuwara are now returning to their homes. According to
Government officials in Muttur, 592 houses have been damaged due to LTTE
shelling.
"A Housing Ministry team has gone to Muttur to evaluate the damages
caused to houses and once the evaluation is completed people will be
provided with compensation to rebuild and repair their houses," the
Minister said.
He said steps have already been taken to pay a Rs.15,000 advance to
the immediate family members of those killed during the confrontations.
"The Government is ready to provide maximum facilities for the people
returning to their homes in Muttur," the Minister added. |