23 Tamil refugees arrive

Ramanathapuram, Mar 18 (UNI) As many as 23 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, comprising seven families, arrived in two batches here today, in view of fierce battle between the Sri Lankan forces and LTTE.

A senior official of the special refugee for Sri Lankan Tamils, Mandapam told UNI that in the first batch, 18 Sri Lankan nationals comprising five families arrived at the Arichalmunai seashore with the assistance of clandestine boat operators. The refugees, including five children were hailing from Talaimannar, Mannar and Vavuniya regions in the island nation.

In the second batch, five Sri Lankan Tamil refugees hailing from Yalpanam region arrived at Chennai by a chartered Sri Lankan airlines aircraft.

Later, after conducting preliminary investigations by Tamil Nadu Intelligence police officials, the refugees were housed at the camp, he added.

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