Nineteen Sri Lankan Tamil refugees arrive in TN

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, May 8 (UNI) A fresh batch of 19 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, including eight children, arrived here today.

Official sources told UNI that the Lankan Tamils, comprising four families, hailing from the Mannar region in the Island nation arrived at Arichalmunai seashore in Rameswaram with the assistance of a clandestine boat operator.

After preliminary investigations by the State Intelligence and revenue officials, they were sent to the 'Special Refugee Camp' at Mandapam, this evening.

Meanwhile, another group of seven Lankan Tamil refugees, including two children, also took refuge in the camp.

The refugees, hailing from Vavuniya, Kandi and Mannar regions in the Island nation arrived in the State recently with valid documents and registered their names with the authorities concerned, before being housed at the Camp, sources added.

Heavy influx of refugees to Tamil Nadu, was witnessed for the past couple of months, owing to fierce fighting between the Lankan armed forces and LTTE.

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