A police team from Chennai yesterday arrested two Sri Lankan refugees who allegedly played a pivotal role in sending the asylum seekers to Australia.

Sources in the police told international media that a special team nabbed R. Mahendran alias Daniel (44) and one Vijaya (42) from the lodge near Kamarajar Bus Stand at Thisaiyanvilai yesterday.

Indian police suspects that Mahendran was playing a pivotal role in sending the refugees to Australia illegally by fishing boats. The duo have allegedly acquired a significant sum of money from the refugees in exchange for a safe haven.

The Chennai police stated that they believe the duo was staying at Thisaiyanvilai to recruit the ‘aspirants to Australia’ after taking hefty sums from them.

During police interrogations it was revealed that they had escaped from the Sri Lankan refugee camp at Gummidpoondi.

The duo, after being grilled at Tirunelveli for a while, was taken to Nagercoil where a few Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were recently detained by the police. (with inputs from the Hindu)