Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“No plan to send refugees back”

CHENNAI: Several Ministers visited Sri Lankan refugee camps across the State on Sunday and the government came out with a clarification that it had no intention to repatriate the refugees.

The Government’s press statement was issued in the wake of media reports that the Centre had issued a directive asking the refugees, whose sanctioned duration of stay had expired, to return to their homeland. “There is no such announcement from the Centre. The report attributed to a political leader is not only a false one, but could also create fear in the minds of the refugees,” the press note said.

Refugees staying in 115 camps in Tamil Nadu would continue to receive aid from it and the Centre, it stated.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests S. Regupathy called on refugee families in Thekkattur village.

In Madurai, Backward Classes Welfare Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Adi-Dravida Welfare Minister A. Tamilarasi visited refugee camps at Uchapatti and Anayur.

In Coimbatore, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy gave a patient hearing to the problems faced by refugees housed in the camp at Pooluvapatti.

Highways Minister M. P. Swaminathan visited refugee camps at Kangeyam.

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