Sri Lankan refugees' issue: Cong MP against TN CM’s plan

(October 04, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) In a statement that can drive create a wedge between the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and the Central government, Congress MP Sudarshan Nachiappan today opposed the idea of granting Indian citizenship to over two lakh Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka who were at present staying in various camps across Tamilnadu.

During a commemorative meeting in Kancheepuram to mark the birth centenary of DMK founder C N Annadurai, a resolution was adopted for granting Indian citizenship to Tamil refugees who had fled the war-torn Sri Lanka and are lodged in several camps across Tamilnadu.

Further, the DMK government has taken up this issue of citizenship to Tamil refugees directly with the Central government. Even during the talks the Chief Minister had with Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday, this issue came up for discussion. Speaking to newsmen after calling on Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence, the Home Minister said the request of the Chief Minister to ‘legally regularise’ the stay of Lankan Tamil refugees was under the consideration of the Central government.

Meanwhile, in a statement Congress MP Sudarshan Nachiappan today pointed out that efforts should be made by the Central and state governments to make Jaffna as the major settlement for Lankan Tamils in that island nation.

Recalling the historical and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Tamilnadu, he said even during the eras of King Raja Raja Chola and Pallavas, Tamils had been living in large numbers in Mullaitheevu. ‘There are historical records to prove that Tamils have been living in those areas of Lanka like Jaffna and Mullaitheevu,’ he said.

Out of the estimated seven lakh Eelam Tamils, nearly two lakh were settled in various camps in Tamilnadu and another two lakh have migrated to countries like the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany and others parts of the world. Given the present status of Tamil diaspora from Jaffna, Nachiappan has called for efforts to restore back the lost property of Eelam Tamils including their land, homes, trade, enterprises and even educational institutes which they have lost as they fled the war-torn island caught in the ethnic strife.

He urged the government to take efforts for the return of Lankan refugees to their homeland or ‘otherwise Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and his government will be happier a lot if the idea to grant Indian citizenship to refugees is implemented,’ said Nachiappan.

For once Eelam Tamils have vacated their homeland for good, the Lankan government would then take measures for the settlement of Sinhalese in the island’s north-east region which traditionally had Tamil population, he further warned.

The Congress MP urged both the Centre and Chief Minister Karunanidhi to take steps for speedy return of Tamil refugees to their homeland. Sudarshan Nachiappan also called upon the Eelam diaspora who had settled across the world to send at least a single member of their families back to Jaffna in an effort to reclaim their lost territory and birthrights.

-Sri Lanka Guardian