Six people died of cholera in early October at Vidataltivu, north of Mannar town, and over 90 people were admitted to the hospital. Another 60 cholera patients received medical treatment in Madhu hospital, further south-west. Schools and restaurants in Vidataltivu were closed on the orders of health authorities. Over 2,000 people passed through the checkpoint when it was reopened on 23 October, after the Government Agent announced that the disease is under control.
Restrictions at the Uyilankulam checkpoint has led to civilians attempting to smuggle food and fuel. Two people smuggling goods into LTTE-controlled Vanni areas were shot dead by the Army near Uyilankulam on 10 October. Four days later, Raphael Alexander was killed near Mannar town while attempting to smuggle kerosene.
Restrictions in Mannar and the fighting in the Vanni have led to refugees continuing to arrive in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Over 125 refugees landed in Tamil Nadu from the western coast of Sri Lanka in October. Another 48 were arrested on 7 October at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy and returned to Mannar. In Tamil Nadu, there are currently around 70,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in 133 camps. Tamil Nadu spends Rs 20 million (£285,000) a year on the refugees which is reimbursed by the Indian government.
Reports say strict policing has effectively prevented LTTE infiltration in refugee camps. The Tigers are currently confined to special camps. But allegations of Tiger activities outside camps continue. Five Sri Lankans, accused by Tamil Nadu police of attempting to send medicines to the LTTE in Sri Lanka were released by a Chennai court in early October. Police found 58 bags of medicines at Thondy coast in Ramnad District in late October, destined for Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the LTTE has challenged its ban before a tribunal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Tigers were proscribed in India under the Act in May 1992 accused of the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991.