Idp Influx Gains Momentum
Thousands cross over daily:
With the territory held by the LTTE diminishing progressively the
number of civilians braving LTTE threats and arriving in Government
controlled areas is increasing day by day.
While 423 civilians fleeing LTTE terror were saved by the Navy on
March 14, another 592 had arrived at the Government controlled
Puthukudiyiruppu area on the same day. On March 15 the number that
arrived at Puthukudiyiruppu had increased to 968 while the Navy had
rescued another 66 persons fleeing from LTTE controlled area. On March
16 another 139 persons were rescued by the Navy.
Besides over 4500 internally displaced persons arriving from the
uncleared area are receiving treatment in Government hospitals in
Trincomalee, Padaviya and Vavuniya.
On March 17 by 6 p.m. the number of civilians who crossed over to the
Government controlled area was 1567, the highest in a single day so far.
All together 45, 519 persons have arrived since March 1.
Military sources said that the number of civilians arriving would
increase in the coming areas. There are also reports that the entrapped
civilians have clashed with the LTTE cadres in an attempt to leave for
the safety of the Government controlled areas.
Civilian arrivals from LTTE held area
*March 14 1015
*March 15 1034
*March 17 1567
*Hospitalised 4500
* Total since March 1 45,519 |