Date:23/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/23/stories/2008012359740900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Refugees pushed into sea, one drowns

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: Three Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were allegedly pushed into the sea by clandestine boat operators a few nautical miles off the Rameswaram coast on Tuesday evening. While two swam to safety, one drowned.

According to sources in intelligence agencies, A. Sridayaharan alias Kannan (26), T. Adhavan (24) and R. Dushyanthan (22) of Mullaithivu (Vanni area) paid Rs. 1.5 lakh each to an illegal boat operator at Nachikuda in Sri Lanka to get dropped at Arichamunai. However, the trio was offloaded near Kachathivu and forced to board a mechanised fishing boat.

Before reaching the Indian shores, the fishermen asked the refugees to jump into the sea as the Coast Guard would intercept anytime.

When they refused, the fishermen pushed them into the water.