Christian pilgrims from Sri Lanka forced to flee TN

Sri Lankan Christians who were on a pilgrimage to India were Tuesday attacked by pro-Tamil outfits near the Trichy airport in Tamil Nadu.

The group of nearly 180 Sri Lankans were stopped by protesters after they left the famous Velankanni Christian shrine. Prior to visiting Velankanni, the Sri Lankan nationals had worshipped at the Poondi Matha shrine on Monday evening as part of their annual pilgrimage.

Reports said activists of the MDMK and Nam Thamizhar Iyakkam stoned the convoy of buses that had a large number of women and children. They were later sent to Trichy airport escorted by a police team. A special flight was arranged for the pilgrims to go to Colombo.

While the buses were damaged, no one was injured in the incident, police sources said.

Trichy city police commissioner Shailesh Kumar Yadav said his department was yet to identify the attackers. A case will be booked under sections 147 and 148 of IPC and Section 3 of PPD Act, he said.

Following the incident, the Sri Lankan government has issued a travel advisory to its nationals visiting southern India. However, travel to all other states in India is safe for Sri Lanka nationals, the external affairs ministry said.

Tamil Nadu's political anger over the allegations of human rights abuses committed by the Sri Lankan defence forces targeting Tamils lingers even three years after the end of the conflict. The state government is now pressing Sri Lanka to ensure justice and rehabilitation of Tamils in the country.

Clearly exhibiting hostility against Lankan visitors in the state, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa had sent back a football team from Sri Lanka that had come to play friendly matches in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier the chief minister had also protested against the Indian defence ministry allowing two Sri Lankan military officers to train at a military facility in the state.