Speaking to the press on the detention of Eelam Tamil refugees in the Trichy Central Jail “Special Camp,” parliamentarian Selvam Adaikalanathan called on the Tamil Nadu government to release the detainees immediately.

“Their protest for their release has crossed 32 days,” Adaikalanathan said, “and they have gone to the extent of sacrificing their lives.” 

“On their behalf, a letter has been sent to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. In the letter, it has been requested that those who don’t have any court cases against them be immediately released,” the MP said. 

“The hearing of cases against any of them must be expedited.” Adaikalanathan appealed to the Tamil Nadu CM to help the refugees detained to reunite with their families.

“The government must bear their aspirations in heart and help them reunite with their families,” he said.

At the same time, Adaikalanathan cautioned against any activity that violates Indian law. “Nobody should engage in activities contrary to the law. Everyone should refrain from such activities that violate Indian law,” he noted. 

This development comes a week after the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for the repeal of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019. 

The resolution highlighted that the act “does not accord warm support to the refugees, considering their plight, but discriminates against them on the basis of their religion and country of origin”, referencing the plight of Eelam Tamil refugees amongst others.