Don't arrest SL Tamils: rights activists

12 May 2014 11:44 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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The arrest of 10 Sri Lankan Tamils, who fled Sri Lanka following persecution, has evoked angry reactions from rights activists and Tamil outfits in Ramanathapuram.

The 10 Lankan Tamils, including five children, who arrived in Dhanushkodi, were arrested under the Foreigners Act and sent to Puzhal Prison in Chennai on May 5. The refugees came in two batches.

Many Tamils have sought asylum in India during the decades-old war between the LTTE and the Lankan defence forces. After the war ended, about 20,000 Lankan Tamils returned to their homeland hoping for a peaceful life, after getting exit permission from the government of India.

Meanwhile, the Indian government stopped receiving Tamils as refugees from 2011, presuming that peace had returned to Sri Lanka.

Thereafter, the Tamils who landed on Indian shores were detained under the Foreigners’ Act and sent to prison.

Sheik Ibrahim, Ramanathapuram district coordinator of People’s Watch, said the Lankan Tamils were not aware of the new rules. The Indian government should give refugee status to Lankan Tamils. They should be allowed to live in the refugee camps and enjoy the benefits provided to other refugees in the camp, he added.

He blamed the Centre for its insensitive approach towards Lankan Tamils when they flee Sri Lanka leaving all their belongings behind, hoping for a peaceful life.

A source at the Special Deputy Collector’s office in Mandapam camp, said the Centre had instructed them not to admit anyone who arrived after 2011 as refugees. (The New Indian Express)

Comments - 9

Avatar Monday, 12 May 2014 01:01 PM

Persecution? When? where? who?

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Fawzan Monday, 12 May 2014 01:17 PM

India wanted the Tamils to believe that SL is safe for them. Only those who are going through the misery know whether SL is livable or not.

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meranchi Monday, 12 May 2014 03:13 PM

Arrest only the suspect even any other national criminal should be arrest with out any exception....i

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manoj Monday, 12 May 2014 03:20 PM

I can't hear you! what! Why don't you blow up yourselves..then we will hear..

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Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 13 May 2014 02:35 AM

Accept all, grant citizenship, look after, then look around and see whats up.

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ind Tuesday, 13 May 2014 04:03 AM

Only Praba and his clan gone through misery. Not innocent civilians!

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Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 13 May 2014 05:36 AM

Why can't they arrest SL Tamils means SL Jaffna Tamils, it sounds bad - why N & E Tamils are having Green coloured blood, not Red?

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Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 13 May 2014 05:41 AM

Arrest whoever does not abides unto Law. Pro-LTTE guys cannot say "Not to arrest Tamils". Colombo Tamils or Up-country Tamils will never leave the Paradise Island they love our country, only few N & E Tamils go out and feed LTTE...

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jim pappa Wednesday, 14 May 2014 04:51 AM

Some of these arrested happen to be ' tortured and killed' LTTE 'ers.! Kudos to the Chennai police, for arresting the 'avatars' of the dead !

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