Myanmar refugees sheltered in community centre

A group of 64 Myanmar refugees have been lodged in a community centre in the district after efforts to settle them in the industrial township of Manali in north Chennai proved futile following alleged opposition from residents of the area, officials said today.
The Rohingya Muslims, including 15 women and several children belonging to 14 families, have been accommodated in the community centre at Kelambakkam after their plight was brought to the notice of district authorities, they said.
The refugees had arrived in Tamil Nadu in 2011 and have been residing in Thayyur village near Kelambakkam till recently, earning a living by picking plastic waste.

As the land owners asked them to vacate, they approached local Muslim acquaintances who took the initiative to move them to Manali.
However, residents of the locality objected to the refugees being put up there, following which they were brought to Kelambakkam, Thiruporur Revenue Divisional Officer Panneerselvam said today.
He said arrangements had been made for providing them food and other essential needs at the community centre, where they have been sheltered temporarily since Friday last.
District officials were looking at suitable places for their rehabilitation, officials said.