Sri Lankans quizzed ahead of Rahul Gandhi visit

KOLLAM - Ahead of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit here Monday, 36 Tamils from Sri Lanka have been detained and questioned to know how they reached Kerala, an official said Saturday.

They were staying in a lodge here since Wednesday. On Friday, they were spotted in areas where fishing boats are berthed.

Kollam Superintendent of Police Harshita Ataloori told IANS that they have not found anything of concern so far.

“We do not want to take any chance. They are being questioned on how they reached here. So far it appears there is nothing suspicious,” she said.

The Sri Lankans include a travel agent, five women and five children. There were two Tamils from Tamil Nadu with them.

After detailed questioning, the police found they were to be sent illegally on small fishing boats to the high seas and then transferred on ships bound for Australia.

The travel agent had asked the Sri Lankans to reach Kochi through various routes from Tamil Nadu.

Police said the women and children were made to accompany the men to give the feeling that the Sri Lankans were tourists.