Ferrying refugees is no crime, says TN top cop

Ferrying refugees is no crime, says TN top cop
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

MADURAI, JULY 24: The additional director general of Tamil Nadu Police S Kumarasamy today said fishermen ferrying genuine Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka need not entertain any apprehension about inviting police action, but issued a stern warning against transporting militants.

When media persons questioned about Ramanathapuram SP Seshasayee's reported warning of detention of those ferrying refugees under the NSA, the ADGP clarified that there was no problem with regard to transporting genuine refugees. However, if fishermen ferried militants who were posing as refugees, action would be taken based on merit, he said.

The ADGP said investigation had revealed that Kumudhini, a Sri Lankan woman who was found murdered after she arrived at Danushkodi last month, had been murdered by the fishermen who ferried her. Post-mortem report had indicated that the woman had not been raped, he said.

He issued a severe warning to leaders who instigated violence in the name of caste. Already, some caste leaders had been detained in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam areas.