Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CHENNAI1818
2006-08-21 11:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Chennai
Cable title:
FURTHER INCREASE IN SRI LANKAN REFUGEE ARRIVALS
VZCZCXRO5796 PP RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHCG #1818 2331152 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211152Z AUG 06 FM AMCONSUL CHENNAI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9407 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0186 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1251 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0525 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1040 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0114 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1895 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0052 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0106 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4835 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0578 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0185
UNCLAS CHENNAI 001818
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM CE IN
SUBJECT: FURTHER INCREASE IN SRI LANKAN REFUGEE ARRIVALS
REF: A) Chennai 1816 B) Chennai 1746 (NOTAL)
UNCLAS CHENNAI 001818
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM CE IN
SUBJECT: FURTHER INCREASE IN SRI LANKAN REFUGEE ARRIVALS
REF: A) Chennai 1816 B) Chennai 1746 (NOTAL)
1. (SBU) With the tense situation prevailing in northern Sri Lanka,
there has been a further rise in the number of refugees arriving
Tamil Nadu. According to Chennai-based UNHCR Associate Repatriation
Officer Vadeja Bharati, 528 persons landed at Mandapam on August 20,
the highest number to land in Tamil Nadu on a single day since the
recent wave of arrivals began in January 2006. Bharati said the
24-hour curfew, the break of communication links and a steep rise in
prices of essential commodities in some parts of northern Sri Lanka
have pushed growing numbers of Sri Lankan Tamils to cross the strait
to India. "Some refugees told us they had to abandon their valuables
such as cattle since there were no buyers," Bharati said. According
to the UNHCR official, authorities on the Indian side are being
hospitable but the Sri Lankan Navy has resorted to arresting
refugees to stop the flow. He said the sea will become rougher by
mid-September, making the boat journey almost impossible. As of
August 21, the total number of refugees arrived since January is
8,253, representing 2,518 families.
2. (SBU) Meanwhile, local south Indian media reported that the
Government of Tamil Nadu has directed all District Collectors to
accommodate refugees in the camps functioning in their districts.
According to the reports, 3,600 of the newly arrived refugees have
been transferred from Mandapam to the other camps in Tamil Nadu on
the basis of their requests.
HOPPER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM CE IN
SUBJECT: FURTHER INCREASE IN SRI LANKAN REFUGEE ARRIVALS
REF: A) Chennai 1816 B) Chennai 1746 (NOTAL)
1. (SBU) With the tense situation prevailing in northern Sri Lanka,
there has been a further rise in the number of refugees arriving
Tamil Nadu. According to Chennai-based UNHCR Associate Repatriation
Officer Vadeja Bharati, 528 persons landed at Mandapam on August 20,
the highest number to land in Tamil Nadu on a single day since the
recent wave of arrivals began in January 2006. Bharati said the
24-hour curfew, the break of communication links and a steep rise in
prices of essential commodities in some parts of northern Sri Lanka
have pushed growing numbers of Sri Lankan Tamils to cross the strait
to India. "Some refugees told us they had to abandon their valuables
such as cattle since there were no buyers," Bharati said. According
to the UNHCR official, authorities on the Indian side are being
hospitable but the Sri Lankan Navy has resorted to arresting
refugees to stop the flow. He said the sea will become rougher by
mid-September, making the boat journey almost impossible. As of
August 21, the total number of refugees arrived since January is
8,253, representing 2,518 families.
2. (SBU) Meanwhile, local south Indian media reported that the
Government of Tamil Nadu has directed all District Collectors to
accommodate refugees in the camps functioning in their districts.
According to the reports, 3,600 of the newly arrived refugees have
been transferred from Mandapam to the other camps in Tamil Nadu on
the basis of their requests.
HOPPER