CPI state secretary D Pandian met the Sri Lankan refugees that were admitted at Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital, to express his solidarity with their stir.
Although he was not allowed to meet the refugees at the special camp in Chengalpattu, he was permitted to meet them in the Hospital on humanitarian grounds.
One of the refugees told Express that they had conveyed their intention to fast unto death if they were not released from the special camp. “Pandian told us not to worry and assured us that he would take up the issue with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He said he would also meet other ministers in the Cabinet to explain the plight of Lankan refugees held in the special camp,” he said.
“We told Pandian that if something happens to us, the blame would fall on officials who were using tactics to delay the process. We also mulled the option of committing suicide as we felt we may be held in this camp permanently. But Pandian insisted that we stop thinking on those lines,” he added.Meanwhile, officials from the Revenue Department held talks with the refugees at the special camp to pacify the protesters. However, protestors were unconvinced and the stir continued for the 11th consecutive day.