RAMANATHAPURAM : Feigning illness to get sympathy is a new problem that confronts officials at the Mandapam refugee camp. Inmates quarantined at the facility are reportedly taking the authorities for a ride.
In an attempt to gain sympathy and get out of the quarantine, the inmates at times pretend to have serious illnesses. This is a ploy to get out and secure a separate house, say officials.
The Lankan Tamil refugees, on their arrival at Arichamunai or anywhere along the porous coast are being housed at the camp. But, the menfolk are lodged at the Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai under the Foreigners’ Act, while the women and children are kept at the transit camp.
Recently, a woman refugee, claiming to be pregnant, was provided special care . Suddenly, she told the authorities that she had a “horrible” pain in the stomach and was shifted to the Rameswaram GH. However, doctors could not find any sign of pregnancy. Doctors said further treatment was only needed if she was really pregnant.
According to a camp staff, some women refugees were indulging in such acts to gain sympathy and secure allotment of houses in a manner similar to other Sri Lankan refugees.