The ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka brings to light again the plight of refugees in this intractable conflict. Sri Lanka is a classic case of intense ethnic conflict causing refugee generation on an unprecedented scale. It is called the “island of refugees” by the United States Committee on Refugees (USCR).

The current situation presents a dismal but contradictory picture. Though the level of violence is high, the spillover has been low. The level of violence is generally related to the number of people displaced, but the current crisis belies this trend. After an initial exodus, refugee displacement has been low within the island as well as to neighboring India. Till May 18, when the conflict peaked, only 114 people had arrived in India as compared to 742 last year. Detachment, Rameswaram. In fact, after May 9 there was no arrivals at all.

Interestingly, during the clashes between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF) in November last year, the entire Vavuniya town was evacuated by the residents and they left for nearby places. The pattern of displacement falls into three categories: (i) within the island itself, (ii) to Western countries and Australia, and (iii) to Tamil Nadu in India.

There are over one-lakh refugees in India. More than 65,000 live in 131 government run camps. The number living outside the camps could vary from 35,000 to 50,000, according to very conservative figures. They have been arriving in India, either in the form of an exodus or trickle depending on the level of violence in Sri Lanka. The three major phases of exodus in 1983, 1990 and 1995-97 coincided with the three Eelam Wars. Otherwise, there has been a steady trickle that gets heightened during conscription drives by the LTTE.

In the current situation, though fighting has been fierce, refugee arrivals have been low, in fact less than normal. The reasons are:

  Over 1,50,000 residents of Jaffna town are trapped, as the peninsula is cut off from the mainland due to fighting. The sea route is the only escape route. However, since Operation Riveresa in 1995, when the SLAF had captured, fishing activity has been severely curtailed due to: 

1.                   decreased population because of high displacement, and 

2.                   security reasons.  The non-availability of mechanized boats has been a serious impediment to people escaping. People have not invested in boats. 

Most boats had been taken away by the LTTE or the SLAF, and the remaining are lying unused.

  The LTTE or the SLAF has blocked exit points. The SLAF has blocked routes to avoid LTTE intrusion, and the LTTE has gated them because they need manpower.

  Earlier, the people and Government of Tamil Nadu had welcomed the refugees. But this time, due to the changed political scenario, pressures of coalition politics, and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, they are no longer welcome.

  The substantial Naval presence off the Indian Coast and scrutiny by the ‘Q” branch is yet another reason for the decline in refugee arrivals. This has instilled fear in the minds of boatmen and prospective refugees, who adopt illegal means for transit. Although this places refuges in a piquant situation, India is concerned that LTTE cadres may sneak into Tamil Nadu in the guise of refugees. 

Conclusion

The Tamil refugees in India face an uncertain future. The options available to them are repatriation to their home country, resettlement in a third country, or integration in India. In the present situation all three choices are difficult. Voluntary repatriation is the ideal solution. However the situation being fluid, voluntary repatriation is far from practical. Roads, schools, infrastructure have been destroyed in the Wanni region, which is been under LTTE control. Efforts at repatriation have also not been successful. There were three phases of repatriation in 1987-88, 1992 and 1994-95. Some people who chose to go back are stuck in refugee camps in Tricomalee. Besides, repatriated refugees have had to move again to safer areas due to outbreak of violence in the area. 

With developed countries becoming more strict in granting asylum, the third country option is equally difficult. Integrating themselves in the host country i.e. India, remains the only viable option left to these hapless people caught in the crossfire.