The Central government would consider the demand for Indian citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees if the Tamil Nadu government recommended it, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday (24), Times of India reported.

Rijiju, who visited a refugee camp at Gummidipoondi near Chennai on Tuesday, said the Centre and the state government had taken various steps to ensure the welfare of refugees. The Union minister's visit comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka and his reiteration that his government was committed to welfare of Tamils in the island nation.

The minister said he was visiting the camp to see if refugees were happy with the welfare measures extended to them. "My visit is purely on humanitarian grounds. Since India is a democratic country, we have to ensure the welfare of refugees in camps. We have to ensure that they live a happy life," he said, lauding the Tamil Nadu government for extending to refuges the welfare schemes meant for its citizens.

In January this year, India and Sri Lanka agreed to "re-engage" on the issue of repatriation of refugees. As part of this, the Centre had convened a meeting to discuss voluntary repatriation. But, the state government had not participated, saying the situation was premature. Refugees in the camp were also of the view that they should not be pressured into returning home. They presented a memorandum to the minister, stating their views on repatriation. Many, however, expressed their disappointment over the minister's failure to interact with them or visit them in their homes.

Speaking on behalf of refugees at the meeting, camp leader P Sivakumar explained to the minister about the various problems they faced, including getting visas, passports and issues relating to 'over stay'. "Though the governments have been enhancing the dole and we are eligible to avail state government schemes, we face many problems. But, if we are forced to go to Lanka, our troubles would be more," said Sivakumar. Many refugees in the camp echoed Sivakumar's views on repatriation.
(With inputs from Times of India)