(a) whether there are reports that Sri Lankan refugees residing in Tamil Nadu are
being trafficked on the pretext of giving Australian citizenship once they reach there;
(b) if so, the details of such cases reported during the last three years and the
current year; and
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a)& (b): Yes, Madam. As per inputs provided by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, there
are reports that Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are being trafficked on the pretext of sending
them to Australia. The details of the cases reported during the last three years and the
current year is at Annexure-I.
(c): The steps taken by the State Government of Tamil Nadu in this regard are:
# Alerts are given, whenever information about human trafficking comes to notice from
other agencies;
# A notice was exhibited in the notice boards in all the refugee settlements as a part
of awareness campaign to safeguard the life and properties of Sri Lankan Tamils.
# All Commissioners of Police/Superintendents Police were informed to take action against
the repeated offenders/masterminds/agents of human trafficking under NSA.
# Coastal Security Group Police officers recently launched awareness campaign in all the
refugee settlements all over Tamil Nadu urging them not to fall for illegal sailing.