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| India to deploy Sri Lanka medics | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| India is to send a medical team to aid north-eastern Sri Lanka's conflict zone, providing humanitarian relief and emergency care to displaced civilians. | |
| It is the first time there has been an Indian presence at the war zone since a peacekeeping mission pulled out of Sri Lanka in 1990. | |
| India says that the team will arrive on 9 March. | |
| Meanwhile UN head Ban Ki-moon has strongly deplored the mounting civilian death toll in the conflict. | |
| 'Speedy end' | |
| A statement released by the Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the team would establish an emergency medical unit, including a hospital, at Pulmodai, near the north-eastern town of Trincomalee. | |
| See map of the region | See map of the region |
| The medical team will consist of eight physicians and surgeons as well as paramedic and technical staff. | |
| Correspondents say this will be the first Indian presence in north-eastern Sri Lanka since its three-year peacekeeping mission to the island nation came to an end in 1990 after the loss of about 1,200 Indian troops. | |
| India did send medical help to parts of Sri Lanka after the Asian tsunami in December 2004. | |
| Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has repeated his call to the government and Tamil Tiger rebels to suspend hostilities to allow time for civilians to leave the conflict zone. | |
| Aid agencies fear a humanitarian disaster in the north-east | |
| Mr Ban said there was an urgent need to bring the conflict in north-eastern Sri Lanka to a speedy end without further loss of civilian life. | |
| It is estimated that between 70,000 and 200,000 civilians are caught up in the conflict. | It is estimated that between 70,000 and 200,000 civilians are caught up in the conflict. |
| Aid agencies say hundreds of civilians, including children, have been either killed or injured in the fighting in recent months. Both sides deny they are responsible. | Aid agencies say hundreds of civilians, including children, have been either killed or injured in the fighting in recent months. Both sides deny they are responsible. |
| Mr Ban also called on the Tigers to remove their weapons and fighters from civilian areas, co-operate in humanitarian efforts and immediately stop recruitment of children. | Mr Ban also called on the Tigers to remove their weapons and fighters from civilian areas, co-operate in humanitarian efforts and immediately stop recruitment of children. |
| The UN chief's comments came hours after the Sri Lankan government said it was planning to open two new safe routes in the north-east for civilians to leave the conflict zone. | The UN chief's comments came hours after the Sri Lankan government said it was planning to open two new safe routes in the north-east for civilians to leave the conflict zone. |
| The Tigers have not yet reacted to the government's announcement and there is scepticism over the safe-passage plan. | The Tigers have not yet reacted to the government's announcement and there is scepticism over the safe-passage plan. |
| Apart from the lack of a rebel response, it is not clear how civilians caught up in the conflict can be told about the plan. | Apart from the lack of a rebel response, it is not clear how civilians caught up in the conflict can be told about the plan. |
| MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return | MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return |