In brief
Returned
UNHCR says 213,000 internal refugees have returned to their home areas since February 2002, but there are no proper facilities, such as shelter. According to Mannar Government Agent V Visvalingam, some 260 refugees have returned from India by boats.
Indictment
The Attorney General’s Department filed indictment against five soldiers in Colombo High Court on 18 October, in connection with the murder of eight Tamils at Mirusuvil in Jaffna on 19 December 2000.
Abduction
In an October letter to Defence Minister Tilak Marapane, President Chandrika Kumaratunge urged intervention for release of 29 Muslims from LTTE custody. She says that the Tigers abducted them between 1989 and 1991.
Released
In October, the Colombo High Court released five Tamils, accused in the murder of Trincomalee MP P Thangathurai, after the state withdrew the case because of insufficient evidence. Mr Thangathurai was assassinated on 5 July 1997, Black Tiger Day.
Desertion
New Inspector General of Police TE Anantharajah says that special police units will be set-up to apprehend 45,000 Army and 1,000 Navy deserters. The police estimate that around 50% of the deserters are involved in crime.
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