An uncertain future awaits them

By Our Staff Reporter

RAMANATHAPURAM, MAY 10. A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who will henceforth be allowed to land in the sixth island (Aram Theedai) within Sri Lankan territorial waters.

Since the intensification of the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan armed forces in the Jaffna peninsula, the Ramanathapuram district administration has been gearing for the arrival of refugees from the island.

The Indian Navy has set up a ``forward observation post'' at the land's end near Arichalmunai in Dhanushkodi to keep a round-the- clock vigil on the movement of Sri Lankan Tamil militants and activities of the Sri Lankan Navy along the International Border Line. After checkpost was set up, agents fearing arrest have been dumping the refugees on the sixth island. Over the last four days, 50 stranded people were rescued by local fishermen.

As the sixth island comes under Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Coast Guard as well as Navy personnel cannot enter it. Local fishermen have also been warned against crossing the IB line. Hence, picking up Tamil refugees dropped in the sixth island by so-called agents from Thalaimannar is a risky affair.

Naval officials said they could only ask their Sri Lankan counterparts to take the refugees back raising the question of turning back people who fled Jaffna to save their lives.

Local people feel that on humanitarian grounds the Indian Government should intervene and frame a clear policy on the issue after discussions with Colombo.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Francis, of the Naval Detachment, Rameswaram said that though the Navy did not want to pick up the refugees, local fishermen were allowed to do so. The Thalaimannar-based agents drop the Tamil refugees either on the third island (in Indian territorial waters) or on sixth island. After the Indian Navy intensified patrolling, the agents preferred the latter.

Around 114 refugees touched Indian shores after violence erupted. Last month their number was 195.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the tourist flow into Rameswaram has come down since last week.

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