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‘Govt. has no intention of repatriating refugees’

CHENNAI: Several Ministers visited Sri Lankan refugee camps across the State on Sunday and the government came out with a clarification that it had no intention to repatriate the refugees.

The Government’s press statement was issued in the wake of media reports that the Centre had issued a directive asking the refugees, whose sanctioned duration of stay had expired, to return to their homeland.

“There is no such announcement from the Centre. The report attributed to a political leader is not only a false one, but could also create fear in the minds of the refugees,” the press note said.

Refugees staying in 115 camps in Tamil Nadu would continue to receive aid from it and the Centre, the release stated.

Among the Ministers who surveyed the state of affairs at refugee camps was Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests S. Regupathy, who called on refugee families in Thekkattur village.

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