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Life in the camps in Tamil Nadu is difficult, but at least they have no fear of their lives. This draws the masses across Palk straits to Tamil Nadu. In “Sailing the straights for safety”, people in Trincomalee is expressing their desire to leave, while an article published in www.The-Week.com, Tamils in Tamil Nadu camps voice their current situation:

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A poster in one of the ‘houses’ of the Sri Lankan refugees in a camp at Kaatumannarkoil in Cuddalore district reads: “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” Living on borrowed space for over 15 years, the 60-something families could perhaps not agree more.

Sri Lankan refugees started coming to India in 1983. From 1983 to 1987, Tamil Nadu received over one lakh refugees. Though many have returned, the influx continues. “Many of our people have died with the unfulfilled desire of going back to our homeland,” says Kamalan, secretary of the camp. “Young children have seen their country only on the map.”

Kamalan left Killinochi when he was eight, but memories of his homeland are still fresh in his mind. “We had land which we cultivated,” he says. “We had our own place to live in. We were much more independent there. The only good thing about being in India is that our life is not in danger.”

And that is the only good thing. Life in the camp is difficult. The 230 refugees, including 100 women, are lodged in a coal godown. They have set up houses here, with walls made of sacks and plastic sheets. This provides feeble shelter from rains. “Running away from rains is much better than running away from bombs,” says Sugila Raj, the head of the camp.

The refugees are forced to do without toilets. “It is especially tough for us women,” says Vijayalakshmi, who hails from Trincomalee. “Pits in the earth serve as toilets. Many women have had physical problems because of this.” Vijayalakshmi came here with her husband and one-year-old child in 1990. She had two more children in the camp. “We received letters from my parents sometime back saying things were better and we could go back,” she says. “But since my children were in school, we could not relocate immediately. Now, I thank my stars. If we had gone back to Lanka, we would have got caught in the war.”

Cuddalore collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi says his administration has sanctioned Rs 6 lakh for toilets and water supply to the camp. “The issue was brought to my notice two months ago,” says Bedi. “The construction will start soon. The government has directed the administration to do the needful to improve the conditions in Kaatumannarkoil.”

Refugee children are admitted in government schools and are given special training at night schools, but there are no guarantees of good jobs. The graduates from the camp do menial jobs. “Most of us work as labourers,” says Kamalan. “We are refused jobs even if we are fit. The employers cite the impermanence of our stay here as a reason.”

Two refugees had been granted permission to drive autos. However, the permission has now been withdrawn. “It is important that we treat them with some basic humanity and respect,” says Ravikumar, Dalit Panthers MLA, who has taken up the fight for the refugees. “Otherwise, why should we call ourselves human beings?”

Women refugees who marry men from other camps in the state, face further problems. “When women get married and leave their camp, their names are struck off from the list of refugees in the camp,” says Ravikumar. “They have to apply afresh for refugee status in the new camp.” Till they obtain refugee status in the new camp, they are ‘illegal occupants’.

Rajeshwari, 28, of Kaatumannar-koil camp relocated to Puzhal camp near Chennai in 1996 after her marriage and applied afresh for refugee status. After having three kids, her husband deserted her to marry another girl, forcing her to return to Kaatumannarkoil. “It is two years since she reapplied for refugee status in Kaatumannarkoil camp, yet nothing has happened,” says Ravikumar.

Refugee status gives them the social security to continue living in India. A head of the family is entitled to Rs 200 per month, others get Rs 144 each. The first child and the second child get Rs 90 and Rs 45 each. Low quality rice is given at 57 paisa per kg. The head of the family is entitled to 400gm of rice a day, while children are given 200gm. Each member of the family gets 500gm sugar a month. Each person gets a new set of clothes and utensils once in two years. “They leave behind their property and come penniless to India,” says Ravikumar. “How will Rs 200 suffice? Women are never known to work in Sri Lanka, but as refugees in India they have few options.”

Amidst the gloom in Kaatumannar-koil, Sounderrajan’s family is an exception. His son is doing MBBS at Thanjavur and his daughter, who has completed her M.Sc., is looking forward to doing B.Ed. “Once my son finishes his degree and starts practising, maybe we can move to a decent place outside this camp,” says Sounderrajan. “If we cannot go back to Sri Lanka in two years, we might settle down in India.”

That the DMK is in power gives some hope to refugees. The party is known for its sympathetic attitude to Eelam Tamils. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has deputed two ministers to visit the 100 camps in the state and give him a status report. Meanwhile, Ravikumar and party colleague Thirumavalavan have plans to bring out a report on the camps. “The government has promised permanent houses for refugees,” says Ravikumar. “But that will not be enough. There is much more to be done.”

Things seem slightly better in Kurinjipadi camp in Cuddalore, which houses 400 refugees. Women have started self-help groups through which they intend to do businesses. People have even planted trees outside their houses. “We did not know how long we would stay here, but we planted the trees when we came here in 1990 and today they have made our place greener and better. Even if we leave in a few years, others can enjoy the benefits,” says Kulasekaran of Kurinjipadi camp.

In late June, 17 Sri Lankans landed in Dhanushkodi. “We come from Mannar, where people are often killed in clashes,” says Kannadasan, 22. “We were afraid to live there. There is no question of going back to Sri Lanka.” His wife Mangayakarasi, agrees: “India is our motherland, not Sri Lanka. There are so many people in India, a few of us will not make a difference. We hope that the government here will give us refuge and support to begin life anew.” What dreams do they have for their child, Kannappan? “We have received little education in Sri Lanka. So, we want him to study well here. We want him to converse in English,” says Kannadasan.

Refugees arrive by sea from Sri Lanka. “We left Sri Lanka at 6 a.m. and reached the Tamil Nadu coast at 10 a.m,” says Kannadasan. “It is a tough journey. Apart from the harsh wind and waves, the Coast Guards are always on the look-out for us.” The boat ride cost the refugees Rs 10,000 per person.

They arrive in small numbers to avoid getting noticed by the Coast Guards. Once they touch land, the state government takes over. A van picks them up at the coastal police check-post and drops them at the Dhanushkodi C3 police station. Their identity cards, if they have any, are checked to make sure that they are from Sri Lanka. “These people come from a different country and land in my police station first,” says Sub-Inspector R. Athmanathan. “I am proud to receive them here. The police-officials and villagers provide them with food and water. Only then do we start questioning them.”

After a preliminary questioning, the refugees are taken to the Mandapam camp, which presently houses about 3,300 refugees. A Rs 37-lakh proposal to electrify the 234-acre camp, and improve the condition of the road and other infrastructure has been put forward. “We issue them identification cards and ration cards,” says Athmanathan. “Sugar and kerosene can be bought only at open market prices.” The camp also has a government higher secondary school. A hospital and a police station, too, operate within the camp.

The refugees must return from work by 6 p.m. Most of them are well-versed in agricultural techniques, fishing and driving and get related jobs. There is a stretch of shops outside the entrance of the camp.

What if the refugees want to go back home? “We inform UN High Commission officials who check for the refugees’ willingness and prepare necessary documents,” says a camp official. “If the individual has money and can fly to Sri Lanka without government help, he should show us his ticket and then we relieve him.”

When asked what they expect in Tamil Nadu, a refugee answered: “Nimmadhi [peace].” And that is what makes them stay on in India.

By Kavitha Muralidharan/Cuddalore and Srinivasa Ramanujam/Mandapam [Courtesy: www.the-week.com]