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Refugee 05: Surveillance of Tamil refugees

Refugee shelter

Source: Maga.Tamizh Prabhagaran

‘Roll call’, a routine surveillance practice, is vigorously followed in the refugee camps in Tamil Nadu, India. Every Tamil refugee must present physically to register their attendance under this practice. This practice is widely followed in the camps after the death of Indian former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Refugees feel that this practice became the part of the lifestyle in refugee camps.


The immediate roll call is still in practice, whenever the important leaders of the Indian government or Sri Lankan leaders come to India, or Tamil Nadu political leaders crossing the camp location. The refugees from different camps share their different tales on Roll call practice. In addition, writer Pathi Nathan shares his refugee life outside of the camp.

“Refugee”, an audio series, presented by Maga.Tamizh Prabhagaran, Journalist from Tamil Nadu and produced by RaySel for SBS-Tamil. Part 5.


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