TIRUCHI, September 5, 2012 | The Hindu
Sri Lankan pilgrims inside Tiruchi airport amidst tight police security
on Tuesday. Photo: M.Srinath
Lankan pilgrims sustain minor injuries after miscreants attack buses
For Joseph from Chilaw in Puttalam district in North-West Sri Lanka, the
yearly pilgrimage to India has always been a thanksgiving mission after being
cured of sores that covered his body. It turned nightmarish this year.
Not only was the pilgrimage of 178 Sri Lankan nationals, including
Joseph, who visited the basilicas of Velankanni and Poondi curtailed, but the
last leg of the journey also saw them return home with bruises after buses
transporting them to the Tiruchi airport were attacked on Tuesday.
They were scheduled to take a special plane out of India on Tuesday
night following threats from some Tamil outfits. Already disheartened at making
an exit much before the Velankanni feast on September 8, the pilgrims were
terrified after a group of 10 men smashed the windshield and window panes of
three of the six buses in their convoy at Kattur on the outskirts of Tiruchi.
They were on their way back from Thanjavur.
According to passengers who spoke to The Hindu, all pilgrims are
Sri Lankan nationals of Tamil origin. “We speak Tamil and have always
considered Tamil Nadu as our motherland. Why should they attack us? It is sad
that we have to be afraid in a place we call our motherland,” said an emotional
Mercy Fernandes, who had come to Velankanni to offer prayers after being cured
of cancer.
“When we were warned that there may be trouble on Sunday, we were asked
to cut short our journey. Initially, we were told to pray from within the bus
which would take us to the two shrines. What is the use of spending so much if
we cannot enter the shrine,” asked Joseph.
“We did not come here to do business, we came here to seek the blessings
of Our Lady of Good Health,” said Fatima Mariyam. “What has disappointed us all
is that we could not even attend holy Mass. We came with faith, we return with
sadness.”
Though the police maintained that the pilgrims were unhurt, those who
spoke to The Hindu said passengers in the front seats, including two
children, sustained minor injuries and were given first aid. “Thanks to our
mission and the State police, we at least made it here safely,” said Fatima.
Amid tight police and CISF security, the pilgrims were accommodated in
the visiting gallery of the airport, which was declared out of bounds to the
public. They boarded a special plane operated by Mihin Lanka.
Will they make the pilgrimage next year?
We go back unhappy, but our faith will bring us back. I hope the
government will assure us of a safe stay here,” said Mercy.
