The ICRC today withdrew from the Uyilankulam point in Mannar claiming it feared for the safety of its staff, ICRC spokesman David Vignati said.The ICRC had decided to cease activities from yesterday at the Uyilankulam point until both the Security Forces and the LTTE issue a guarantee on the safety of its officials.
"The road from Mannar to Uyilankulam is not safe for free movement of our officials. There were shells and shootings in the road when our officers handed over the bodies of 12 persons killed over the weekend in Silavathurai area", Vignati said.
The 12 bodies are in the Mannar hospital now and they were handed over to the hospital by the Security Forces on Sunday, he added.
The ICRC has an office in Mannar and a presence in Uyilankulam. The Uyilankulam ICRC point functions three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"We have decided not to send our officers to the Uyilankulam point to perform their duties on grounds of safety. We will announce the re-opening of our post once we have discussions with the Security Forces and the LTTE", Vignati pointed out.
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