Speculation was rife at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday about whether the wife of Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam supremo V Prabhakaran arrived here, along with a group of Sri Lankan refugees, in the face of escalating violence between the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan forces.

Police and media personnel rushed to the Mandapam refugee camp in Rameswaram after rumours claimed that Prabhakaran's wife Madhivadhani had reached the camp early on Wednesday morning.

The rumours also suggested that Madhivadhani met the refugees and enquired about their living conditions.

Senior police officials, who visited the refugee camp in private vehicles, refused to divulge any details.

"We also have heard about the rumours which have caused a flutter," a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.