The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my first Supplementary Question:

¶ 02 Some of the Deputy Minister’s statements are not accurate according to my knowledge and to the people concerned. Mullikulam villagers were first displaced in 1990. They were resettled in 2002 and about 150 houses were built. After the 2007 displacement, Navy personnel have been occupying those houses—I have visited and seen this. People were resettled in other villages like Kayakkuli. Under previous Governments, people staged strong protests. Facilities have been arranged for children to attend school and for worship at the church, but people travel with great difficulty from where they now live. These were measures by previous Governments. However, people have greater confidence in your Government. Mullikulam villagers must be resettled in their proper places—the lands are theirs. Paddy fields and garden lands, too, have been taken and are used jointly by Forest and the Navy. The fishers’ landing site is used entirely by the Navy. I have visited the village thrice and speak from direct observation.