The Vivasayigal Thozhilalargal Munnetra Sangam (VTMS) has called upon political parties to address the “suffering” of more than 25 lakh Sri Lankan repatriates, otherwise called Indian-origin hill country Tamils, demanding that they be represented in Parliament.
In a press release, M.S. Selvaraj and V. Ramakrishnan, the state coordinator and district president of VTMS, stated that the repatriated constitute the single biggest demographic that could determine victory in the Nilgiris Parliamentary constituency.
As the community comprises of mostly plantation workers and poor farmers, the VTMS has called on the government to redistribute land to the workers, ensuring that each family gets at least three acres of land, and loans for agriculture. “The government order 1168 which prohibits the grant of pattas in hilly districts should be repealed. Arrangements should be made to give land to the landless here,” the VTMS said.
