ICG rescues 15 stranded Lankan refugees

Ramanathapuram, Nov 11 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today rescued 15 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, who were stranded in an unmanned Islet off Mandapam coast.

Official sources here said an ICG patrol vessel spotted the refugees stranded in the fifth Islet near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

After a preliminary enquiry, the refugees were brought to the shore by the ICG men. Later, they were handed over to Rameswaram Temple Police Station for further interrogation.

The refugees alleged that they were dropped in the fifth Islet by a clandestine boat operator, while on their way to Rameswaram to take refuge in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of the ongoing ethnic strife. After detailed investigation, they were lodged at the Special Refugee Camp for Sri Lankan Tamils at Mandapam, this evening, the sources added.

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