Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051254140700.htm

Kerala

Sri Lankan Tamil refugee influx raises security concerns

S. Vijay Kumar

In the past 10 days 211 refugees arrived
Officials worried about unregistered refugees

MADURAI: The steady influx of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees is raising security concerns in the State.

In the past 10 days, 211 refugees, including many women and children, reached Dhanushkodi from Thalaimannar (in Sri Lanka).

Since January 2006, 21,489 refugees have been enrolled in the Mandapam refugee camp.

With no organised repatriation since March 1995, official estimates put the total number of refugees in Tamil Nadu, registered and unregistered, at 1.2 lakh.

At present, about 74,110 refugees are staying in 117 camps in Tamil Nadu and one camp in Orissa. Also, 22,090 refugees are residing outside the camps after registering with the nearest police station. The remaining ones have not registered.

According to sources in the intelligence agencies, 2.99 lakh refugees arrived in India since 1983, and 99,469 were repatriated back.

The largest influx was between 1983 and 1987 when 1.34 lakh people sought refuge here.

“We are more worried about the unregistered refugees. With about 400 landing points along the coastline, they enter/exit the country with the help of clandestine boat operators easily. Besides smuggling of contraband, weapons and explosive substances, there is a risk of their committing crimes in the State. Since their presence is not on record, it becomes a challenging task for law enforcing agencies,” a police official said.

Going by the latest report of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Centre’s approach was to “discourage” the movement of refugees. However, if they do manage to come, they are granted relief on humanitarian grounds with the ultimate objective of repatriating them. “With a view to preventing fresh mass influx of Sri Lankan refugees, several measures, including intensified coastal patrolling, collection of advance intelligence and strengthening of Naval detachments in Tamil Nadu have been undertaken...,” says the report, adding that the government had so far spent more than Rs. 397 crore for providing relief and accommodation to Sri Lankan refugees till December 2007.

Sources in the Narcotics Control Bureau said some refugees were involved in drug peddling.

“Many refugees are staying here without renewing their stay (registration) period. Even if they indulge in grave offences, it would become difficult to track them down,” a senior police official said.