A group of 32 civilians including children have vacated Nachchikuda, about 25 km northeast of Mannar and reached naval troops in Pesale last evening seeking protection from Security Forces.

Those civilians on two dinghies comprising thirteen males and nineteen females with their children have sailed to reach the Navy.

Three boys of 7 and 14 years and six girls of 2, 4, 5 and 17 years were among those civilians.

After initial procedural matters were over, naval troops handed them over to Churukkandal Internal Displaced Persons welfare centre.