The fierce fighting in the East forced the civilians to flee.

They started to flee from Vakarai since December 2006.

Some of them took the jungle route by foot, after crossing the Thattimunai river.

A few of them crossed the border by sea.

There are 134 families-591 persons sought shelter in Kiran Grounds Welfare camp according to the camp official. The most of the refugees here are from Vakarai and Kathiraveli, some of them have fled Sampoor last year, and lived in Vakarai, before fleeing from Vakarai.