TN says refugees return only after Lankan Tamil's rehabilitation

Tamil Nadu (TN) Government urged the Centre that the voluntary repatriation of displaced Tamil refugees could be "countenanced" after putting in place proper rehabilitation measures in Sri Lanka. "The government is of the view that voluntary repatriation can be countenanced only after proper rehabilitation of internally displaced Sri Lankan Tamils," Governor K Rosiah said delivering his customary address to the state assembly session that began its sitting in Chennai. "This government is committed to the peaceful, just and honourable resettlement of Sri Lankan Tamils Refugees and is of the view that the voluntary repatriation be taken up only after the autonomy and democratic rights of minority tamils are fully restored and sufficient economic and political measures taken to create a congenial atmoshphere for the return of refugees", he said while endorsing the state government's stand on the issue. Rosaiah called for an end to the repeated arrest of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy. Rosaiah commended the state's efforts in maintaining law and order situation remarking "attempts of extremist groups to establish base in Tamil Nadu "has been successfully thwarted through vigilant and effective preventive measures." (PTI)