Chennai, Sep 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reiterated the central government’s commitment to rehabilitation of internally displaced civilians (IDP) in northern Sri Lanka.
In his reply to Karunanidhi’s letters dated Aug 14 and 17, Singh has said: “We fully share your concern for the welfare and wellbeing of the displaced Tamil population in Sri Lanka. We have conveyed these concerns in no uncertain terms to the government of Sri Lanka on various occasions, stressing the need for them to focus on resettling and rehabilitating the displaced population at the earliest.”

On the rehabilitation assistance extended by India, Singh has said: “Our humanitarian assistance has been substantial. The field hospital set by us has now treated more than 38,000 patients.”

The Indian demining teams are in the process of clearing tracts in the northern Sri Lanka to expedite the resettlement process, Singh has stated in his letter dated Sep 9.

On the condition of the Indian fishermen in Bangladesh, Singh has said the government has requested the Bangladesh government to repatriate the three fishermen held in the Bangladesh police custody.

A request has been made to continue search and rescue operations for the remaining five fishermen, Singh has said.