Question : WELFARE OF TAMILS IN MYANMAR

(a) the number and status of Tamils in Myanmar and whether they have an option to settle in India by means of a bilateral agreement between the two countries;

(b) the steps taken by the Union Government to protect their life and property in Myanmar;

(c) whether the Sri Angala Parameshwari Temple of migrant-Tamifs in Moreh falls in the border area between India and Myanmar where fencing work undertaken by the Indian Government is under progress; and

(d) if so, the present position of the fencing work in the border between India and Myanmar in the Moreh area and the steps taken by the Government to resolve the issue and protect the interest of Tamil people?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)

(a) to (d) Myanmar has a fairly large Indian origin population which is estimated to be between 20 to 25 lakh. This includes approximately 7 lakh people of Tamil origin, which is the largest among Indian origin communities. They are mainly concentrated in Yangon, Moulmein, Mandalay and Tanintharyi. Most of the Indian origin community, including the Tamils, have acquired Myanmar nationality and others stay on Permanent Residency (PR)/Foreign Registration Card (FRC) basis.

Embassy of India in Yangon is in regular touch with the Indian community as a whole. Their visits to India are encouraged and facilitated. Even PR/FRC holders are enabled to travel to India on special temporary/limited duration PIO passports issued by Embassy of India, Yangon.

Sri Angala Parameshwari Temple is located near the border between India and Myanmar. The temple is located near Boundary Pillar (BP) No. 78. No construction of border fence is being undertaken close to the temple. The approved border fence is coming up between BP No. 79-81 which is approximately 3.5 Km north of the temple. Approximately 10 Km of border fence between BP 79- 81 was sanctioned for construction in 2010. Out of this, about 4 Km of border fence has been completed.