Plight of the displaced People at Mullikulam, Mannar.

Field Visit at Northern Province at Kilinochchi and Mannar
Dates: 2nd -4th February 2011,
Objective: To learn & better understanding about the present situation of the northern people, specifically for the IDPs, their resettlements to work in the future for their rights.
Specific Objectives:
• Identification of villages to work in the future,
• Identify field activists to work in the Northern province,
• Meet the IDP people of Mullikulam, Mannar and to learn their present situation, identify possible collaborative actions in the future,
Team :
 Priyankara Costa > Pradeep Wanigasuriya,
 Francis Raajan > Antony Hesudasan
Jayapuram Village on 2nd February
First of all we visited at Jayapuram village at Kilinochchi district. The access to the village is around 30Km, though we had to travel in a different road around 60 Km due to rainy weather and the difficulties of the road.
We were able to see the destruction of the war while we were travelling to the Jayapuram village. The houses, properties and buildings were totally destroyed. The people who were resettled in the area are living in the temporary shelters covered with 12 tin sheets provided by the UNHCR. With much difficulties, we were reached to Jayapuram village and met the officers of the Punagari fisheries coop federation leadership. The federation leaders explained the present post war conditions and how difficult for them to restart their activities to live as humans. There are around 80% people are resettled in their original villages. But, all of them are living in temporary shelters as they lost their houses. The other 20% are still living in Settikulam displaced camp. However, some people who migrated to India have not returned yet. Also, some of the families are living in Jaffna with their relatives. They haven’t come back to their original villages due to fear for the military and the military bases situated there.
Fisheries and agriculture are the main sources of livelihood though there in no satisfactory program to support them. Although, there are 2000 fisher families living in the village, only 300 families have received some fishing gears for revive their livelihoods. Some minor assistance have been provided for the agriculture programs too. Unemployment is a serious issue in the area and economic difficulties are a common among almost all the families in the village. Women headed families are the most vulnerable, economically, socially and security reasons. Among the women who lost their husband 90% are belong to 18-25 age group.
The Punagari fisheries federation is very much alert on the issues related to bottom trawling. They say, the situation became more serious when the Jaffna and Mannar trawlers are also conduct bottom trawling fishing in their territory. However, the leaders say the difficulty to bring the people together, educate them for their rights, rebuilding their livelihoods, and voice out for the life. Also the fisher leaders emphasized to get the permission from the administration, military for implement any type of work in the area. Working through the fishers federation would be the most appropriate way to reach the people in the area and the leaders are ready to support any activity which is helpful to rebuild the community and their livelihoods.
However, as we observed there is no restrictions to travel in the area. But, when we are implement any development work, there will be restrictions and need the permission from military. As we want to work for the rights of the people, our education and lobby activities will be in danger due to the government imposed rules and regulations in the previous war tone areas. However, amidst all these practical issues, we had selected Mr. Karupaiya Prabakaran for launch the programs in selected villages in Kilinochchi district.

Velkaipetrankandal & Thalvupadu Villages at Mannar
The IDPs who displaced from Mullikulam are living in Velkaipetrankandal and Thalvupadu villages since 2007 till today. The senior security officials have informed that they won’t be back o their village due to security reasons. We were able to meet these people in several occasions and were able to highlight the issues they face in various media and forums. People strongly stick to the idea to get back to their original village and the land they own. However, gradually they have changed their views due to the officials had informed them they will not resettle in their original village which is Mullikulam. Officials have informed that they would get the land from Kayakali area and temporary shelters will also be constructed. So, it was revealed that there were a petition signed by 107 people with their consent to go to the new place of Kayakali. But, it was also a doubtful as some people who live at Thalvupadu says those signatures are not real ones and some how people have signed for them. The reservation because of that the area of Kayakali, it is only fishing only could be carried out. There is a big question of the people who are living in agriculture activities. So, the refused to go to Kayakali. But, government says this is the only land they could provide them for resettlement.
However, the people who agreed to go to Kayakali also say that they will fight for the original lands at Mullikulam. But, there is no practicality for this as government is retaining the land at Mullikulam for army base.
At the same time, Bishop of Mannar is taking another step to resettle those displaced people living at Thalvupadu in his own land at Karavankottai. This is also problematic as government can say that they have completed the resettlement and there is no any displace people to resettle. The people with diverse opinion on their resettlement is an advantage to the government as they can easily divide the people and pressurize them for implement the government plan to retain land at Mullikulam.
Our plan was to unite people to come to a common consensus. Advised the people in two villages to come to common understanding and decide what they are going to do as one united body. For do that, we advised to our field activists to facilitate the unionization of the people and come to agreement among them. Finally, the Thalvupadu people agreed to bring all the displaced people from Mullikulam together and get the views of all the people.
Anthony Jesudasan
15.02.2011