Vanni IDPs in Jaffna not allowed to go to Vanni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 October 2009, 04:17 GMT]
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Vanni origin detained in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) detention camp in Raamaavil in Thenmaraadchi have to stay in the camp if there are no relatives in Jaffna to take them over, according to Jaffna Secretariat sources. Though the government campaigns that Vanni IDPs will be resettled in their own villages, in reality they are not allowed to return to their homes, NGOs in Jaffna said.



1836 persons of 618 families in the SLA detention camp in Raamaavil were allowed Tuesday to go with their relatives who had signed taking responsibility of looking after them.

The IDPs from Ki’linochchi and Mullaiththeevu districts in Vanni in Raamaavil camp who have no relatives in Jaffna to take them over were not released by SLA authorities.

The IDPs held in Koapaay and Kaithadi in Jaffna district are to be released Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Considerable number of Vanni IDPs among these persons will have to remain in Jaffna according to conditions laid down by government authorities.

Meanwhile, 2875 IDPs of 981 families from Karaveddi and Point Pedro in Vadamaraadchi brought from Vavuniyaa Monday night have been handed over to their relatives in Jaffna.