To what can be witnessed as a revolutionary decision to prevent any violent activity in Tamil Nadu, Madras High Court observed that the Sri Lankan refugees, who get involved in any criminal cases, will be left with no privileges.
‘Follow the rule of law or lose all privileges’
The Madras High Court observed, “Sri Lankan refugees can either choose to reside in any one of the 107 refugee camps or stay as an ‘out refugee’ elsewhere on their own and report before the local police station. However, they will lose these privileges if they get involved in an offence and thereafter, their place of stay could possibly be only in the special camp in ‘Tiruchi’ until the government decides to dislodge them.”
However, the decision came after dismissing a habeas corpus petition against the government’s decision to lodge Premkumar Ratnavadivel at the special camp in Tiruchi after he was granted bail in a criminal case.
Sri Lankan refugees benefitted from the privileges
Earlier, Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram highlighted in front of the court that the head of every family lodged in the 107 refugee camps are paid Rs 1,000 a month. Joining the row, every family member above 12 years of age is paid Rs 750 while those below 12 years of age encash Rs 450 per month by the State Government.
Whereas those lodged in a special camp after they are granted bail in any criminal case would be paid Rs 175 per day. They are also allowed to cook their food by obtaining a gas connection. In addition to that, their close aides are also permitted to see them at the special camps. Moreover, the government provides free medical treatment too at the nearest government hospitals.
Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared multiple welfare measures and remunerations for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, with a budget of Rs.317 crore. Under the schemes, the construction of 3,510 houses for Sri Lankan refugees at a cost of Rs.108 crore will be done along with refurbishing of 7,469 houses, at a cost of Rs.231.5 crore.
Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India
As per the reports by India Today, there are 94,069 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India with many of them residing in 107 camps spread across 29 districts in Tamil Nadu. Whereas, 34,087 registered refugees are staying outside the camps.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a report, had stated that “Over 3 lakh refugees came to India between 1983 and 2012 during the civil war. Till 1995, 99,469 were repatriated to Sri Lanka after which there has been no organised repatriation.”
Sri Lankan Tamils attacking the nation
Despite the privileges given by the Indian Government, Sri Lankan Tamils have been involved in crimes such as dacoity, rapes and murder. For an instance, Rajan, a Sri Lankan refugee in Tamil Nadu,
committed dacoity at the house of one Pitchaikara Grounder on July 27, 1988. He also fired from an AK-47 gun killing three and injuring four others while trying to escape in a Maruti Van. However, Rajan has been in jail since July 1988.
In another case, Sri Lankan Tamil, Bala Prasannan, who resided near the house of C. Sivakami (38) in the Karumandapam area, attacked her with an iron road on her head and forehead to rob gold chain from her.
Moreover, it was the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. However, The LTTE has never officially admitted its involvement in the killing of Mr Gandhi, who was blown up by a Sri Lankan Tamil woman suicide bomber at an election rally near Chennai.
Considering the above offences by Sri Lankan Tamils, it can be stated that the Madras High Court has come up with the best possible alternative to prevent any crime in the state. However, it is yet to see how the decision affects the state.
