COLOMBO: The last batch of Indian families were evacuated yesterday from Sri Lanka amid fear and uncertainty about the fate of those who had to stay back,
The Indian High Commission had advised the Indian residents here, including diplomats to send their families home in anticipation to anti India violence after the July 29 deadline set by President Ranasinghe Premadasa for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
About 100 persons left yesterday for Delhi. These included the wives and children of Indian diplomats, executives, businessmen and journalists. “We have lost confidence in the ability of Premadasa’s government to protect Indian interests,” said an Indian diplomat. “We do not want to take any chances.”
Sinhala extremist group JVP has threatened an antiIndia stir after July 29. Security, reinforced by Indian commandos has been tightened around the homes of Indian diplomats as it is feared that the JVP might try assassinating or kidnaping to dramatize their Indian antagonism.
45 Buried Alive NEW DELHE: A landslide buried about 45 people who had left passenger buses to clear boulders blocking a mountain road in northern India. All were believed dead mews reports said.
State-run television said at least 22 bodies had been recovered. Rescuers were using bulldozers, Press Trust of India reported.
All those buried were feared dead, the agency reported. It also said 15 people were hospitalized.
The accident occurred 185 miles north of New Delhi on a national highway connecting India with Tibet.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 11, 1989
