Boatmen bringing the refugees from Sri Lanka’s western coast are dropping them off on sand bars in the Palk Strait. Indian fishermen rescued 12 refugees stranded on a sand bar on 9 May. Seventy others were saved by Indian coastguard. But sources say that there is increasing official reluctance to assist refugees and fishermen have been forbidden to offer help. A child died of dehydration on a sand bar in Sri Lankan territorial waters in May.
Indian coastguard and naval patrols in the Palk Strait have been intensified. Security has been strengthened in the coastal region of Ramnad District and increased Airforce surveillance over Tanjore, Kanyakumari, Pudukottai and Nagapatanam is reported.
Although government officers say these measures have been introduced to prevent LTTE cadre entering India, observers believe that the main purpose is to discourage refugees. There are already 150,000 Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu. Five refugees from Jaffna’s Neduntivu Island were arrested by police at Thondi in Ramnad District on 29 May and charged with illegal entry under Indian immigration laws.