By G Saravanan
Chennai, December 05:
The Sri Lankan government claims that the situation on ground in the north and eastern parts has become conducive for return of Tamils settled abroad after the end of the war in May this year. But most of the Tamil refugees who took refuge in Tamil Nadu during the past couple of decades are hesitant to accept Lanka’s invitation as they feel that the island nation has become more unsafe for them in the post-war situation.
Factors like total military control over all Tamil dominated territories, improper rehabilitation of those Tamils returned to Lanka in the last few months from Tamil Nadu camps and the increased activities of different armed groups in the absence of LTTE have forced them to make Tamil Nadu a better choice and make it their homeland, for now.
Interaction with the inmates of a few camps in the State revealed that they are in no mood to go back to their homeland in the situation prevailing there. The recent developments like re-arrests and unannounced detention of Tamil youth who had been released from government-held IDP camps have erased any hopes of returning to Lanka.
“My three relatives, all youngsters and who had been recently released from IDP camp Menik Farm, were re-arrested by the Lankan policemen at Adampan area in Mannar district few days ago and the trend is not a healthy sign for those planning to return to Lanka,” said an inmate from Mandapam Camp.
Asked about their future plans, many Lankan Tamils living in different camps said that though their economical condition was not sound here due to non-availability of sustained income, they are happy to make Tamil Nadu as their new homeland.
“Since we have settled here for almost two decades and the recent generation (who came here as children) now acquainted themselves with Tamil Nadu , relocating everything to a place where we have to start from a scratch is not a wise decision at all,” opined another camp inmate from Sivaganga district.
Besides, the state government’s impetus to improve the living conditions at different camps also make them stay here in search of better fortunes. “Plan to allow us to get driving licences would make us to earn more for our families,” said a group of youth at Puzhal Camp.
Chennai, December 05:
The Sri Lankan government claims that the situation on ground in the north and eastern parts has become conducive for return of Tamils settled abroad after the end of the war in May this year. But most of the Tamil refugees who took refuge in Tamil Nadu during the past couple of decades are hesitant to accept Lanka’s invitation as they feel that the island nation has become more unsafe for them in the post-war situation.
Factors like total military control over all Tamil dominated territories, improper rehabilitation of those Tamils returned to Lanka in the last few months from Tamil Nadu camps and the increased activities of different armed groups in the absence of LTTE have forced them to make Tamil Nadu a better choice and make it their homeland, for now.
Interaction with the inmates of a few camps in the State revealed that they are in no mood to go back to their homeland in the situation prevailing there. The recent developments like re-arrests and unannounced detention of Tamil youth who had been released from government-held IDP camps have erased any hopes of returning to Lanka.
“My three relatives, all youngsters and who had been recently released from IDP camp Menik Farm, were re-arrested by the Lankan policemen at Adampan area in Mannar district few days ago and the trend is not a healthy sign for those planning to return to Lanka,” said an inmate from Mandapam Camp.
Asked about their future plans, many Lankan Tamils living in different camps said that though their economical condition was not sound here due to non-availability of sustained income, they are happy to make Tamil Nadu as their new homeland.
“Since we have settled here for almost two decades and the recent generation (who came here as children) now acquainted themselves with Tamil Nadu , relocating everything to a place where we have to start from a scratch is not a wise decision at all,” opined another camp inmate from Sivaganga district.
Besides, the state government’s impetus to improve the living conditions at different camps also make them stay here in search of better fortunes. “Plan to allow us to get driving licences would make us to earn more for our families,” said a group of youth at Puzhal Camp.
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