Repatriation conducive only if congenial atmosphere prevails” :Tamil Nadu Governor

Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah has sated in his address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the government is committed to the peaceful, just and honourable resettlement of the refugees. But it is of the view that voluntary repatriation can be countenanced only after proper rehabilitation of the internally displaced Sri Lankan Tamils.

He stressed that a congenial atmosphere for the return of the refugees could be achieved only by fully restoring the autonomy and democratic rights of Tamil minorities, besides sufficient economic and political measures.

He went on that that any meeting to discuss voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees was premature and should be deferred in view of the prevailing atmosphere of fear and intimidation, the presence of the Army in Tamil areas, non-settlement of internally displaced people and absence of any concrete and credible measures taken by the Sri Lankan government.

While appreciating the efforts taken by the State government to secure the release of five fishermen, who were sentenced to death in Sri Lanka, the Governor said a permanent solution to the attack on Tamil fishermen could be possible only by restoring India’s sovereignty over Katchatheevu.