Seven families, whose members have criminal cases pending against them, will be shifted from the Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camp at Bhavanisagar to another camp, officials have promised representatives of the camp residents and locals.

Over 3,000 Sri Lankan Tamils reside in the Bhavanisagar camp. The seven families were recently shifted from the rehabilitation camp at Gummidipoondi to Bhavanisagar. Their relocation reportedly led to opposition from camp residents and locals, who had been demanding that families with criminal backgrounds be moved out of the camp.

Following the protests, a meeting was held at the Sathyamangalam taluk office on Tuesday. Tahsildar Karthik, Erode Rehabilitation Camp Tahsildar Banumathi and Sathyamangalam Deputy Superintendent of Police Mutharasu participated in it.

Former MLA P.L. Sundaram, representatives of the rehabilitation camp and functionaries of various political parties also attended the meeting.

Locals and camp residents told the officials that they would continue their protest unless the seven families were shifted. The officials promised them that steps would be taken to relocate the families to another camp within 20 days.

Following the assurance, a bandh and a hunger protest planned in Bhavanisagar on Wednesday were temporarily withdrawn.

Published - August 19, 2026 06:09 pm IST