UN fear over Sri Lanka displaced

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The UN in Sri Lanka says that it is concerned for the safety of thousands of mostly Muslim displaced people who are returning home to the north-east.

The government said that more than 40 bus loads had left relief camps for their homes in and near Muttur.

Nearly 12,000 people have gone back to the area after spending more than a month in relief camps, officials say.

Fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels last month around Muttur forced 40,000 civilians to flee the area.

Security 'concerns'

"While nobody has come forward saying that this is not voluntary, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) looks at the situation on the ground there still with some concern in Muttur and that area," said spokesman Ron Redmond.

He told the Associated press news agency that the UNHCR does not know whether "it's entirely safe or ready for their return at this time".

He said that the UNHCR was concerned about the security of the returnees and the sustainability of the return.

Mr Redmond said that while most of those going back appeared to be doing so on a voluntary basis, the returns were being "actively promoted by the political leaders".

But the government insists it is safe for the displaced people to go back.

"We started the process today in a big way because the fighting has died down in those areas," a spokesman for President Mahinda Rajapakse's office told the AFP news agency in Colombo.

He said that more civilians want to return.

The army said on Tuesday that it was consolidating positions in the recently captured north-eastern town of Sampur.