Hear Our Voices : Relocated IDPs in a jungle in Seeniyamottai

Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai in Seeniyamottai, Mullaithivu District

 

STOP; STOP; STOP ~ No access beyond this point. "Who are you?; Where are you going?; What's in your bag?" ~ ask military (males) when we two women journalists tried to enter the newest IDP camp in Seeniyamottai, Mullaithivu district  



There are 110 families (346 persons) from Keppaappilavu, Seeniyamottai, Sooriyapuram and Pilakkudiyiruppu in Mullaithivu district are living in a jungle in Seeniyamottai from 25th September 2012. Menik Farm ~ one time world's largest internment camp was closed on 23rd September 2012. The final batch of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) were transported from Chettikkulam in Vavuniya district by buses to Vattraappalai Maha Vidyalayam in Mullathivu district on 24th September 2012.

 "We were asked to leave the school premises immediately. Our lands (including fertile land for farming) and houses are being occupied by the military and we are unable to return to our places of origin" say the frustrated villagers.

These Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were forced to leave their places of origin during the height of the war in 2009. They lived in Menik Farm, one time world's largest internment camp from May 2009 to September 2012.

"We lost loved ones and all our belongings. We lost our livelihood (farming and fishing) due to war and displacement. The Government should resettle us as soon as possible in our places of origin, so that we can rebuild our lives and restart our livelihood" strongly share women IDPs in Seeniyamottai.

"Why did the Government force us to leave Menik farm, if they can't resettle us in our places of origin?" ~ queries Uthayakumari Ingaramuthu Sivaguru with anger and tears

"How long are we going to lead an IDP life" ~ queries Sarojadevi Nimaleswaran

An IDP shows the deed to her land and house in Seeniyamottai. The property is currently occupied by the military

"If people from Mullivaaikkaal and Vattuvaagal can be resettled, why can't the Government resettle us in the places of origin?" ~ queries Kamaladevi Amirthalingam

"I don't want to go anywhere! except to my place of origin Keppaappilavu" ~ Saraswathy Kanthapillai

"I have a lot of properties in Keppaappilavu, which are currently occupied by the military" ~ Chandra Sivaguru

"It's been our fate for nearly 30 years of being an IDP" ~ Kanapathipillai Raguthasan

"The Government has to resettle us in our places of origin" ~ demand women from Keppaappilavu and Seeniyamottai villages in Mullathivu district

Newly relocated IDP camp in Seeniyamottai with no access