Plight of Tamil Refugees in TN

A Panel discussion was held  last Friday (June 02, 2017)  to highlight the plight of Tamil refugees of Sri Lankan origin now in Tamil Nadu (TN).  The panel discussion was  initiated by International Tamil Refugees Assistance Network (I-TRAN),  a registered  charity in Canada. I-TRAN is partnering with local NGO agency called MNR Trust Fund which is a registered charity in Sri Lanka.

The panellists were Dr. K.M.  Parivelan from the TATA institute in India and Sam M.Ratna, co-founder of I-TRAN along with Andrew Vanderhost (Consultant on Immigration Policy)  and David Matas, a Lawwyer.

MNR Trust Fund  acts as an intermediary, and we have agency agreement with these locally registered charity. The TRN is helping  Internally Displaced by Conflict, struggling for a  better future  living in Malaysia, India, Thailand and Indonesia with their assylum claims.

Two acre land had been leased to construct the poultry farm to accommodate 750 chicks. The construction had been completed on April 20, 2016. Total of 250 Chicks purchased and placed on Friday, June 19, 2016. MNR need funds for purchase second batch of 500 chicks and maintain the initial cost for next five months starting from month of May.

There are about 60,000 Tamil refugees in TN living in  about 113 camps spread  over TN and another 35,000 off the camp mostly in cities.

The living conditions of these refugees are pathetic. They live in crowded dinghy huts in poor sanitary conditions without toilet facilities.

They are constantly under the surveillance of the Q Branch, the anti-terrorism unit of the state police. TN police notorious for corruption demand bribes from these unfortunate people.

All inmates must return to their ‘homes’ before sunset. No one is allowed to stay outside for more than a few days.

The only silvverlining in the otherwise gloomy picture is the second and third generation refugees are  passing out of universities as doctors, engineers etc.

The ADMK and DMK took an abiding interest in the welfare of these refugees. They paid now and then lip service and nothing more.

Only a few fringe parties like May 17 Movement,  Vel Murugans’ Vazhvurumai party and Naam Tamilar Party  speak for these wretched people. (Watch video

The refugees are give dole consisting of 20 kg of rice per month and few other essentials free of cost.

Those interested to know more details should read the following articles that appeared in the national media.

(1) The ignored plight of Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu. (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lankan-refugees-tamil-nadu-plight-camps-war/1/687724.html)

(2) Stateless in TN (http://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/stateless-in-tn-69604.html)

(3) Document on Tamil refugees asks India, Lanka to assist repatriation. Suggests staying in Tamil Nadu, emigrating to a third country as alternatives.(http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/document-on-tamil-refugees-asks-india-lanka-to-assist-repatriation/)

(4) https://youtu.be/XVlwn5VmQY4(video)

Two acre land had been leased to construct the poultry farm to accommodate 750 chicks. The construction had been completed on April 20, 2016. Total of 250 Chicks purchased and placed on Friday, June 19, 2016. MNR need funds for purchase second batch of 500 chicks and maintain the initial cost for next five months starting from month of May.

Benefits
This poultry farm project has created jobs for the local construction company, employed a local family to manage the poultry farm and also, provide the house for living for this employee. The income generated through sale of eggs is used to support mentally challenged people who are living in Kilinochchi at Nursing Home Residence’s operational expenses. This picture below shows, Nursing Home Residences with MNR Trust Fund helper celebrating the Tamil New year, April 2016 in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka.

For more information, visit  web site: www.i-tran.ca

Those who wish to donate funds can do so via their website.

Contact Details

Name of the NGO in Sri Lanka  Muthu Nava Ratna (MNR) Trust Fund

Registration or Charity #: 11051/31-0302016

Contact Number in Canada (204) 333-9277  or (204) 996-6650

 

Nakkeeran

About editor 2992 Articles
Writer and Journalist living in Canada since 1987. Tamil activist.

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