Some of them also carry weapons. There have been a few skirmishes with the refugees as well. A few have been taken in for questioning and harassed by the army. After the taking over of Madhu, the prices of goods have come down and the medicine shortage has been eased. But the people are confined to their refugee camps and have no way of earning some money by selling firewood or fishing.
People have to survive on their rations, which is Rs.
640 a month for a family of six. Earlier there was some money circulating in the camp, but now people cannot afford soap or kerosene, although the prices have come down. After the Edibala Operation, which opened up the road from Vavuniya to Mannar, this request, has been largely heeded. The LTTE never put up armed camps within the church reservation. The church asked them not to come into the church compound with arms.