MADRAS, India, May 22 (UPI) -- Indian intelligence agencies have expressed concern over the increase in the influx of Sri Lankan refugees to southern Tamil Nadu.
In the last five days, more than 300 refugees have arrived at Rameshwaram and reported at police stations on the island because of the escalating LTTE-Sri Lankan government conflict, The Hindu newspaper said Monday, adding as many as 91 arrived Sunday, the second highest number of arrivals on a single day since Jan. 12.
Security agencies and state police are having a trying time distinguishing between genuine refugees and those from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
"The navy and coast guard allow refugees to land in Rameshwaram on humanitarian grounds," said an Indian security official, explaining that intelligence personnel interviews the refugees to ascertain their background, but are struggling to cope with the current influx.
"We need at least four to five hours to speak to each refugee. But we are in a position to handle an average of 60 refugees daily," he said.
In the process, the security official said, the interviewers may miss vital information regarding links to the LTTE, a matter of great concern for the agency.
According to reports in the Indian media, some illegal boat operators force refugees to alight on sand dunes, miles away from the coastline, while few others risk landing them on the shores. Sri Lankan Tamils pay $75 - 80 per person to be ferried to India; the GDP of Sri Lanka is $4,300, and 22 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
