Mines prevent resettlement in 39 Mannar villages

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 September 2003, 17:23 GMT]
The Mannar district secretariat Wednesday said the internally displaced families in thirty nine villages in the district could not be resettled as the villages have still not been declared mine-free areas, sources in Mannar said.

The sources said that mines have prevented resettlement of IDPs in Silavathurai, Kondachchi, Kokkupadaian and Mullikulam in Musali division.

Resettlement is also affected by mines in ten villages in the Madhu division, including Iranai Illupaikulam, Mullikulam and Kakaiyankulam, thirteen (13) villages including Talaimannar, Neelanchenai, Adaikalamoddai, Parapankandal, Uyilankulam in the Mannar division, eleven (11) villages including Periya Madhu, Malikaithidal, Sethukulam, Thamaraikulam, Vettiamurippu, Sannar and Pulakadu in Manthai West division, and Vankalai in Nanattan division.

Two non-governmental organizations, the Humanitarian De-mining Unit (HDU) and the Swiss Foundation for De-mining (FSD) have been engaged in de-mining several villages in the district since February this year, sources said.

The HDU has removed mines from about 40,612 square meter area in Thadchanamadu, Eechcha Alavakkai and Papamoddai villages and 7814 square meters area in Talaimannar Pier by FSD, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Halo Trust de-mining group is also engaged in de-mining some villages in the Mannar district, sources said.

Related Articles:
15.09.03   De-mined Mannar village ready for resettlement
21.08.03   Villages in need of demining identified
14.05.03   HDU sounds alarm on removal of ‘safety fences’
03.04.03   Swiss group de-mines in Talaimannar, Periyamadhu