The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has accused the government of militarising some of the areas in the Northern Province earlier occupied by the LTTE.
At a news conference here on Monday, the TNA parliamentarian Suresh Prem Chandran charged the government with not allowing the war-displaced civilians to settle in their places of original habitation and militarising vast chunks of land in the Northern Province.
The MP claimed that at least 3000 families in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu areas had been forced to stay either in the transit camps or live under the trees raising serious questions on the intentions of the government in addressing issues related to re-settlement and reconciliation.
The MP accused the Army and the Navy of occupying many acres belonging to the Internally Displaced Persons and denying them the rightful occupation contrary to assurances given by the President himself not only to the returnees but also India.
He quoted the Mullaithivu Government Agent as saying the administration had got instructions from the Defence Ministry not to settle the returnees in certain areas as the original houses and property would be used to house soldiers and their families.
The parliamentarian urged the government to adopt a more “humanitarian” approach towards resettlement without which reconciliation would be meaningless.
Mr. Prem Chandran also said nearly 2000 acres of paddy land was under the Army in the Mullaivaikkal area.
According to him, some of the original residents who have been denied permission to settle in their original places are planning to launch an agitation on the issue.
