MANNAR: Twenty Tamil civilians escaped from the un-cleared area today (11) and sought refuge at two Naval detachments in MANNAR on two occasions.

The first group of escapees belonging to two families arrived at the Naval Detachment at Pallimunai, Mannar today (11) around 7.15 a.m. One family consisted of mother (28), father (27) and two daughters aged 4 years and 2 years. The other family consisted of mother (22) father (26) and two daughters aged 03 years and 02 months. They had escaped in a boat fitted with a 5 hp engine.

Meanwhile, 12 Tamil civilians had fled the uncleared area Walaipadu and sought refuge at the Pesalai Naval Detachment today (11) around 8.30 a.m. Among the escapees was a family consisting of mother (35), father (37) and four sons, 18, 17, 10 & 03. Also, two males aged 20 and 23 and a married couple, husband aged 28 and wife, 18 had fled the uncleared area in a dinghi boat and arrived at the Naval Detachment.

The escapees had confessed that they had decided to escape the tiger domination due to constant harassment and to avoid forced recruitment of their children. The security forces and the government officers are together making arrangements for the welfare of the refugees.

Courtesy - MCNS