06 March, 2007 - Published 16:59 GMT

IDPs witness Vakarai destruction

Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Vakarai have expressed shock as they witnessed the destruction in the area caused by the shell attacks.

Residents of Uriyankattu, Batticaloa were taken for a fact finding mission by the government officials on Tuesday.

51 IDPs including 17 women who came back to refugee camps in Valachchenai expressed despair as their village was reduced to rubble.

Many said the conditions in the village were not good enough for resettlement.

"All the houses were destroyed. No water.I tried to find a coconut tree to get some coconut water. All the coconut trees were chopped down," a refugee woman told journalist Shanthi Selvadorai.

In a meeting held on Monday with the regional authorities, Uriyankattu villagers agreed for the resettlement.

Another IDP said the village "looked like a cemetery".

Many however said they would go back despite what they witnessed.

They expressed doubts whether the IDPs be allowed to work without restrictions.

"It looks like we will have to obey the orders of the security forces," a refugee said.