Nineteen Lankan Tamil refugees arrive in TN

Rameswaram, July 24 (UNI) A fresh batch of 19 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, including seven children, arrived here today.

Official sources said the refugees, comprising four families, hailing from Mannar and Vavuniya regions arrived in two batches at Arichalmunai seashore in Dhanushkodi with the assistance of clandestine boat operators, after paying a huge sum.

After preliminary investigations by the State and Central Intelligence sleuths, the refugees were sent to the Special Refugee Camp at Mandapam, this evening. Three more refugees, including a woman took refuge in the camp.

The refugees, hailing from Colombo and Yalpanam regions arrived in Tamil Nadu recently with valid documents. They registered their names with the authorities concerned and were housed at the Camp.

It may be recalled that there was heavy influx of Lankan Tamil refugees to the State in the past few months, owing to fierce fighting between the Lankan armed forces and LTTE.

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