In northern Vavuniya, 3,400 families were resettled up to the end of December. Local government officers say that resettlement is becoming increasingly difficult without adequate trained personnel. The Army have announced that resettlement will be allowed in high security zones in the six villages at Omanthai, after international agencies certify that all landmines have been cleared. But NGOs say that the Army is refusing to release maps of landmine locations, although a request has been made through the UNDP.
The military has also indicated that only those whose names appear as residents in the 1990 voters list will be allowed to resettle. Over 500 people were permitted to visit the Omanthai Varasithi Vinayagar Hindu temple on 15 January, the Tamil Thaipongal festival day.
Health continues to remain a concern in the Vanni. The Mullaitivu hospital, which was damaged in the war, is currently functioning in Puthukudyiruppu, ten miles north-west of Mullaitivu town. But a first aid section has been opened in Mullaitivu, to assist resettlers. In December, the hospital treated over 6,200 people, including 900 for malaria and 400 for diarrhoea.
Police Special Task Force (STF) officers are accused of attempting to rape a pregnant woman at Ganeshapuram in Vavuniya and attacking her husband Kitnapillai Karunakaran. Some people have fled in fear and have asked for security from the SLMM. The Vavuniya magistrate has ordered an identification parade to find the offenders.