Family of 5 arrested and released on bail for attempting to flee to India from Mannar

by Ephraim
May 8, 2023

A family of five Eelam Tamils and a boat driver were arrested and released on bail after attempting to flee the island and seek refuge in India over the weekend. 

The family, consisting of children aged 7, 14, and 16, with their parents aged 38 and 37, were arrested at Pallimunai beach in Mannar as they tried to head to India via boat. The family and boat driver were later produced at Mannar Magistrate Court where they were released bail. 

Over the weekend, 10 Eelam Tamils fled to Tamil Nadu. The three families who arrived in Dhanushkodi were then taken to Mandapam police station before being transferred to a refugee camp. 

Eelam Tamils have fled the island over human rights abuses and violence by Sri Lanka's security forces for decades but atleast 200 Tamils have fled due to Sri Lanka's economic crisis. Although thousands of Eelam Tamils live in Tamil Nadu refugee camps, they live in poor conditions and have little support from the state.  

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