India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who arrived in the country before Jan. 9, 2015 will be exempted from penal provisions if they are found without valid passports, visas or other travel documents.
The exemption, issued through a gazette notification on Sept. 2, shields thousands of registered Sri Lankan Tamils from prosecution under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which carries penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to 500,000 rupees for undocumented entry or overstay.
Officials said the move extends protections previously granted in 2015, when the government waived visa fees and penalties for Sri Lankan Tamils who voluntarily returned to their homeland. The current order ensures they will not face criminal action in India for lacking proper documentation.
Political leaders in Tamil Nadu welcomed the decision. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami called it a step toward recognizing the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils who fled civil war. Former BJP state chief K. Annamalai credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the measure, suggesting it could pave the way for further relief.
M. Vallalar, commissioner of Tamil Nadu’s Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Department, said the exemption protects refugees from prosecution but does not extend additional rights. He added that the state is collecting data on the number of people who will benefit.
The order applies only to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees registered with Indian authorities and does not alter their broader legal status in the country. (Newswire)