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Shoddy treatment for SL Tamils in TN-The Hindu

5 November 2012 08:43 pm - 34     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Hindu newspapers yesterday alleged that Sri Lankan refugees living in Tamil refugee camps in Madurai, Tamil Nadu were facing shoddy treatment by the Tamil Nadu government.

“Surveillance and shoddy treatment by the State are some of the things which we commonly hear in the case of refugees across the world and the Madurai Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camps at Anaiyur and Koodal Nagar (Tamil Nadu) are no exception. Everyday life in terms of basic amenities is still out of reach for them,” it said.

Anaiyur and Koodal Nagar are among the oldest camps in Tamil Nadu. Following the July 1983 riots in Sri Lanka, a total of 103 camps were constructed all over Tamil Nadu to accommodate Tamil refugees, which included the camp at Anaiyur in Madurai.

The model of the camp as a space is indeed interesting; the construction is done by Tamil Nadu Housing Board in a circular way so that every house could be easily visible to another. Anaiyur has 31 round-type apartment blocks and each round-type apartment block can hold 24 families. Built in 1983, almost all houses are in a dilapidated condition and either has damaged roofs or walls.

Many complained about the building conditions and everyone wanted to maintain anonymity as they do not wish to come under the scanner of the Q branch which has an office at the camp. Interestingly, the roof of the Q branch came down and they got it repaired recently, a youth said.

A few have moved out of their houses as the roof has caved in and they have built a temporary shed using bamboo. In other words it is a hut made up of a tarpaulin standing on bamboo frame, and a transparent bamboo wall.

Whenever there is heavy rainfall, both the camps get inundated with water and everyday life is thrown out of gear, as most of them are forced to wade through the water. Stagnant water has also made life difficult for them as they face a lot of health hazards.

Every year during monsoon it is a common sight to see the ruling party Ministers and the Corporation Mayor visit Anaiyur and Koodal Nagar as part of flood relief measures and without fail promise to set things right, but all this is in vain.

Being refugees, their the socio-economic conditions are also worse as a majority of them are poor and illiterate and are part of the everyday wage labourers found in Madurai, including construction work and painting (whitewashing) for buildings.

However, there are a good number of youth who have completed their graduation but work as construction labourers as they are not easily recruited by private organisations as there is a “stigma and fear,’’ said an elderly person.

The camps do have a few basic facilities sponsored by the European Union like water tanks and strips of cement roads.

The government has built a primary school, fair price shops and a non-governmental organisation has built a kindergarten.

The life of Sri Lankan Tamils at the refugee camps is a sad plight. They are always under vigil and mostly denied work and have restrictions to meet outsiders. Space is a constraint and overall conditions are seemingly worse and need immediate attention.

Despite all this, the camp recently saw a group of Sri Lankan Tamil boys and girls start and run a BPO unit courtesy the district administration and many in the camp felt that this could be emulated through various other efforts to make the community more inclusive.


The circular-type houses at the Sri Lankan refugee camp at Anaiyur in Madurai in a dilapidated condition

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  Comments - 34

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  • Moda Joke Tuesday, 06 November 2012 10:38 AM

    Well Said!

    Ranjith Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:13 AM

    ALL Tamilnadu political jokers visit Sri Lanka & see how they live here. You will feel ashamed surely & stop complaining of illtreatment.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:24 AM

    The Tamils when they go to Tamil Nadu think they are going to the bosom of their Mother, i.e. Mother India but they realise only after they stay there, that there is no mother, but only a step mother who does not care at all. What is really funny is how Karunanidi, Vaiko and Jayalalitha shedding crocodile tears for Sri Lankan Tamils ignoring the deplorable conditions in their own state for the incoming Tamil refugees. A very nice exposure to shut their mouths.

    Ruwan Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:25 AM

    Another good example that Jayalalitha, Karunanidhi, and other tamil politicians doesn't care about the well being of single srilankan tamil, but their own survival.

    Cancer Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:33 AM

    Karunanidhi - nidhi (sleeping) dreaming of creating Eelam in SL. What a person!!!

    in-dian Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:45 AM

    Implement 13A in those camps!

    scrap_metal Tuesday, 06 November 2012 08:01 AM

    wrong... its how Indians treat Sri Lankans..

    CeeDee Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:13 AM

    jacoob, you must be a Tamilnadu or a diaspora monkey who has not seen the tamils living in SL. They live in all over SL, with a major no. in Colombo almost outnumbering the Sinhalese. They mainly have similar issues all races have to face and not anything specila for being tamils. So don't just open your filthy mouth not knowing the truth. It's visible that the sympathisers of the grounded LTTE are still against the SL govt. for the unimaginable thrashing they received. The LTTE, once the most ruthless terrorist organization in the whole world who also killed their own people in thousands, are still heros for those day-dreamers living on nothing but on hatreds. Get a life man!

    Moda Joke Tuesday, 06 November 2012 10:40 AM

    well said

    SL Tuesday, 06 November 2012 11:13 AM

    Plus they steal/rob the fisheries resources from the northern fishermen, who are just building their careers after 30 year war

    ABC Tuesday, 06 November 2012 11:18 AM

    Where is Jaya & Karu?

    Pradeep Tuesday, 06 November 2012 01:19 PM

    I am Tamil who moved out during 83. My parents always told me that Sinhala people are nice and caring, it's the politician who incited hatred against Tamil. I have lived in India for 25 years, although I am greatful to Tamil Nadu people, I am ashamed that mainstream parties there exploited the Sl Tamils badly. End of the politician across both side are the same. But from people to people I see Srilankans are genuinely better of than Indians

    xlntgson Wednesday, 07 November 2012 03:41 AM

    Umbilical cord? One day India will shut doors for refugees, like Bangladesh did for Assamese and Rohingyas!

    Ranjith Wednesday, 07 November 2012 08:23 AM

    I respect Sf for one thing. He openly told that in Tamilnadu all politicians are political jokers. It is proved beyond doubt.Please send our Tamil brothers & sisters back to Sri Lanka.We will take care of them.

    wimal perera Wednesday, 07 November 2012 10:15 AM

    Hey; The TNA members please go to these camps and have your meetings with Karunanidhi,Vaiko.and Jayalalitha at these camps. You all are only hypocrites, you can visit only to the five star hotels and shopping mauls, and talk big about the suffering of the Tamil people in the north of Sri Lanka.Talk about the perks you all are enjoying thanks to these poor Tamils.Be brave enough to demand for a ealam in Tamil Nadu, I bet even if Tamil Nadu is made an Ealam our TNA members will never ever decide to settle down there.

    Lobo Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:23 AM

    pls elaborate on how tamils are being ill treated here now?

    nicky karunarathna Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:09 AM

    We very well know the drama played by TN and its leading politicos. This is all to avenge and revenge against SL and its people and not any love for their own brethren. When it comes to Tamil and Tamil matters - first thery treat according to their caste and these guys have no humanity at all. They are the worst kind devils and evil incarnated in human face. It is regretable that - these guys are born as humans. It is insult to humanity and human dignity.

    Mushi Tuesday, 06 November 2012 12:00 AM

    Why these tamils continue to live there?No more war here to live refugee life in TN. We sri lankans invite you to come back here to live as children of Lanka matha. Indians won't do good for u but will push u into another war.So come back before it's late. via DM Android App

    NE Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:15 AM

    Karuna Budi.......ha ha ha .. trying to solve the problems of Tamils in another country whereas cant provide basic needs to those who are at his door step. What a joke.!!!

    Adi Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:45 AM

    all those Tamil Nadu politicians are shouting for human rights of Tamils in SL..we all can now see the real faces of them..they just want to support Elam..they don't care about the Tamil citizens.l

    Lobo Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:49 AM

    Its good these deplorable conditions are highlighted because now we know just how much TN cares for the tamils.

    Sonali De Silva Tuesday, 06 November 2012 03:07 AM

    Where is big mouth Lalitha, Vaiko and the rest who talk so much about the way Tamils are treated in Sri Lanka. What a set of hypocrites !!!!.

    jacoob Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:00 AM

    Now it is good excuse for sinhala government to further ill treat tamils

    Sammy Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:01 AM

    Comeback to your own land now and live here under good conditions, instead of wallowing there.

    Ken Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:06 AM

    Look at how Tamils treat Tamils.....

    Kosala Tuesday, 06 November 2012 12:00 AM

    Dear brothers, come to your own country and do not continue get taken for a ride by TN opportunistic politicos. via DM Android App

    Truealf Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:03 AM

    These Tamil nadu communal people always shouting only coz they scared of Srilanka's Economic growth not they raise there Voice for Tamils.. Tamil Nadu Drama is a Big Drama.

    wimal perera Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:09 AM

    To TNA Members, Please visit these camps and see to your own eyes the way your kith and kin is suffering over there without going and having meetings with the politicians in five star hotels, and going out there shopping. Sampathan call Karunanidhi and Jayalalita to these camps to have your meetings. Be true to your self's, do not hood wink the poor innocent Tamils, here and there.

    dinesh Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:30 AM

    where is Manmohan

    Ken Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:05 AM

    Yes Please Elaborate....

    cdj Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:05 AM

    What the hell karunanidi is doing...look after internal issues not peeping to other country..

    Ranjith Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:11 AM

    Where is Karunanidhi , Jayalalitha & Vaiko who are shedding crocodile tears for Sri Lankan Tamils in Sri Lanka. They are much better off. Please send our Tamils back to Sri Lanka. We will take more care of them


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