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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sri Lankan refugees of 1990: A dark chapter in T.N.'s otherwise proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need
Tamil Nadu has an enviable track record of providing shelter to those in distress, regardless of their place of origin. But an episode in March 1990, concerning Sri Lankan refugees, marks an aberration to the State's tradition. This episode, involving 1,612 refugees — 353 women and 400 children —remains less discussed in public discourse, and its recall assumes relevance in light of World Refugee Day falling on June 20. Ranasinghe Premadasa's assumption of office of the President of Sri Lanka in January 1989 made a perceptible difference to the presence of Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in the neighbouring country. Five months later, Premadasa openly demanded the ouster of the IPFK, which went there in July 1987 on the request of his predecessor, J.R. Jayawardene, following the Indo-Sri Lanka accord. The new incumbent made the demand, keeping in mind the separate anti-IPKF campaigns by two diverse militant groups, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP, which had subsequently abandoned its militant path and joined the political mainstream) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). After the IPKF's de-induction commenced by the end of July 1989, the LTTE began taking control of areas in the northern and eastern regions. As the end of the political set-up in the then North East Provincial Council (NEPC), headed by A. Varatharaja Perumal of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), became evident, the influx of refugees to Tamil Nadu resumed in a big way. It was against this backdrop that two ships, Harsh Vardhana and Tippu Sultan, carrying about 1,250 refugees, were not permitted for disembarkation of passengers at what was then known as the Madras harbour, on March 8 and 9. Both were diverted to Visakhapatnam, after which the passengers were taken to Odisha (then Orissa) for transit camps in Malkangiri, about 125 km from Koraput town. A report of The Hindu, published on March 10, quoting 'official and other sources,' stated that 'the decision to ferry the refugees from Trincomalee to Madras was taken at a meeting' of the External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral and the NEPC Chief Minister in New Delhi in January/February 1990. Only on the basis of that decision, both Harsh Vardhana and Tippu Sultan were hired to transport about 1,300 refugees. The report went on to state that 'most probably, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister [M. Karunanidhi] does not know about it.' K. Premachandran, Sri Lanka's Member of Parliament belonging to the EPRLF, was bitter about the treatment. The passengers, at the time of embarkation at Trincomalee, were assured they could disembark at Madras. 'Imagine their mental agony. They were in the middle of the sea, not knowing what was happening,' the report added, quoting him as having said. P. Upendra, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the National Front government led by V.P. Singh, told reporters in the city on March 9 that there were doubts whether the passengers aboard the ship were 'real refugees or EPRLF cadres.' On the apprehension that the refugees could be the cadres of the EPRLF and Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front (ENDLF), who could have spirited off weapons on board the vessels, Mr. Premachandran said, 'each and everyone was thoroughly checked at China Bay in Trincomalee and the IPKF also made sure that there was not a single weapon on board the ships.' According to Anil Dhir, Bhubaneshwar-based researcher-writer, the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister M. Channa Reddy, who allowed the ships to drop anchor at the outer harbour of Visakhapatnam port and gave food and water, however, refused disembarkation of the passengers. A similar stand was taken by other Chief Ministers too, who did not want any trouble in their respective States. Eventually, it was Biju Patnaik who had agreed to take the refugees. 'The fact that he had been sworn in as the Chief Minister just four days earlier (March 5) did not deter him from taking such a vital decision.' Patnaik, who became Chief Minister again after a gap of over 26 years, had again responded to Singh's request for accommodating the EPRLF general secretary, K. Padmanabha along with others, a fact acknowledged by Mr. Perumal in a recent conversation with this writer. That Odisha, despite its modest economic condition, had come forward to accept the refugees did not go unnoticed among parliamentarians. On March 29, 1990, A.N. Singh Deo, Member of Parliament from the Aska constituency in the eastern State, called his State 'a very poor State' and asked Gujral whether the Centre would bear the whole cost of providing shelter to the refugees. The Minister assured the Member that the Centre would bear the entire burden. It was a fact that there were EPRLF cadres among the refugees. But they claimed that they were not 'more dreadful than the LTTE militants,' Sukumar, an activist of the (EPRLF) and an inmate of the Malkangiri camps, told The Hindu, as published in a report on March 13, 1990. But Karunanidhi had reasons to justify his government's refusal to provide asylum to the seekers. On April 26, 1990, intervening in a discussion in the Assembly, the Chief Minister cited law and order as the main reason for the move. 'He felt that militants should be kept off even from neighbouring States,' The Hindu reported on April 27, 1990. Karunanidhi had even suggested to the Central government to shift the refugees, sheltered in Odisha, to Andamans, as a majority of them were militants. A fortnight later, he told reporters that he had discussed his suggestion with Singh and Gujral. Parliament had also discussed the refugee matter. On March 28, 1990, the External Affairs Minister told the Rajya Sabha that 'hospitality does not mean open the door.' At the same time, in keeping with India's 'humanitarian traditions, we have never refused entry to refugees who, as in the present case, felt that their lives were at risk,' Gujral said. He added the refugees were brought by sea and air to the country. Notwithstanding the Patnaik administration's sympathetic treatment of the refugees, most of them did not find Odisha a conducive place to stay. In fact, Karunanidhi had then informed the House that the 'militants' continued to arrive in the city from Orissa camps by train and they were apprehended by the police. In the middle of May, he described the refugees' action of deserting the camps as 'wrong' and contended that 'of those who had come to Tamil Nadu, 190 persons who were militants were taken into custody. Other refugees, including women and children, had not been arrested,' stated this newspaper in its report on May 17, 1990. A few days later, after a protest-fast by 111 refugees at the Central Prison who came from the eastern State, the Chief Minister ordered their release. Within a year, the number of refugees in Odisha dwindled to 218, according to the Annual Report of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for 1990-91. [As on March 31, 1991, there were about 2.1 lakh Sri Lankan refugees living in the country.] The former CM of the NEPC recalls that a majority of those who left the camps had finally settled in the Western countries. He and his family were initially taken to Mauritius before being taken to central and northern parts of India. He now shuttles between India and Sri Lanka. The episode ended on a further sad note, as the EPRLF's general secretary and 14 others were gunned down allegedly by a killer squad of the LTTE on the evening of June 19, 1990, while he was holding a meeting in a flat at Kodambakkam, a busy locality of Chennai.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Negros Power commits to invest in infra, modernization
The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) vowed to continue investing in infrastructure and modern technology across Central Negros. 'The journey has just begun. We owe it to our consumers to deliver reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity for years to come,' Negros Power President Roel Castro said in a press release issued Monday. "We are asking for the patience and understanding of consumers as we need four more years for consumers to feel the improvements of our full rehabilitation and modernization plan,'' he added. In a recent meeting with consumer and business leaders, Castro presented a comprehensive report detailing the company's key achievements since starting operations in August 2024, noting that the firm's goal has been to modernize the system, restore public confidence, and extend reliable electric service in the region. Among the most notable achievements in the past nine months was the complete rehabilitation of the Alijis Substation, which is now equipped with new and upgraded power transformers, Castro said. Additional improvements were carried out in other substations to enhance system capacity and resilience, he added. Castro said Negros Power also successfully rehabilitated the entire 30-kilometer Bacolod–Silay 69kV subtransmission line, replacing aging poles and installing new pin insulators. It also heightened efforts to reduce system loss by initiating strict anti-electricity pilferage campaigns, ensuring accountability and protecting legitimate consumers from losses due to illegal connections. Castro said one of the ''most impactful'' initiatives was the Sitio Electrification Program, which has started energizing remote and previously unserved communities. This effort involves installing new poles, transformers, and meters, providing reliable power access to areas that had long been in the dark. 'No one should be left in the dark. The Sitio Electrification Program is about progress and inclusion. We did it in 17 sitios and invested nearly 26 million pesos, benefiting 1,671 households,' Castro said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: NEPC, NBS partner for informal cross-border trade data collection
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have entered into a partnership that would enable and facilitate data collection from informal cross-border trade. Speaking while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NBS in Abuja, the Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni said the partnership marked a major turning point in Nigeria's quest to grow its export trade through the capturing of data in the informal sector. She explained that existing trade data primarily capture activities within the formal sector, offering limited visibility into informal export trade transactions, despite their significant volume and economic impact. 'In 2024, formal export trade records indicate that 7.291 million metric tons of non-oil products valued at US$5.456 billion were exported from Nigeria. This figure excludes informal export trade data. 'Informal export trade, representing millions of dollars in goods and services, has remained largely outside our official records. Informal export trade data collected by NEPC State offices from major corridors in Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Lagos, Ogun, and Adamawa reveal transactions valued at over $31.8 million in some months of 2024.' Ayeni disclosed that reports from the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), reveal that over 1.6 million bags worth of the commodity were traded informally to neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Cote D Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, and Niger Republic. She noted that these impressive achievements were not captured in the national export trade statistics, thus portending real implications for economic planning for the country. 'It weakens Nigeria's voice in regional and global trade negotiations, it denies informal traders the recognition and support they need to thrive, as well as diminishes Nigeria's economic potential, especially the vital contributions of women, youth, and MSMEs.' The ED stated that the collaboration between the Council and the NBS was borne out of the desire to correct the imbalance and capture the full spectrum of Nigeria's export trade activity. On his part, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said that the meeting of key players from national and sub-national agencies, regional institutions, international development partners, and the organized private sector, reflects the strong spirit of collaboration required to address one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria's trade data architecture, capturing and integrating data from informal trade and trade in services into the national framework. He is of the view that the data gap severely impedes evidence-based policymaking, 'limits our capacity to engage in fair trade negotiations, and undermines the accuracy of our macroeconomic indicators.r 'Taditional trade measurement systems have long focused on formal, large-scale transactions while overlooking the vibrancy of informal trade routes. This must be corrected if we are to align our economic statistics with reality.' Adeniran disclosed that informal trade in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes between 20 to 40 per cent of intra-African trade, with Nigeria accounting for a significant share due to its long and porous borders. 'These are not just gaps in data, rather, they represent gaps in our understanding of economic life and the well-being of millions of Nigerians who engage in these activities daily,' he noted. He said the collaboration with NEPC presents a timely opportunity to update and harness current trends, identify new opportunities, and design data-informed strategies to support trade formalization, enhance competitiveness, and ultimately foster inclusive economic growth. 'This initiative is a strategic intervention that will enhance institutional capacities, promote regulatory coherence, and position Nigeria as a regional leader in trade statistics. 'Capturing informal trade data will also help us design smarter border policies, enhance food security, facilitate small and medium enterprise development, and monitor regional integration efforts,' he added. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Auron Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting the Activity of AUTX-703 in Prostate Cancer at 2025 AACR Annual Meeting
NEWTON, Mass., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auron Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company targeting cell-state plasticity to improve patient outcomes in oncology and inflammatory disease, today announced preclinical data in prostate cancer at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. Using a series of experiments, Auron demonstrated activity with AUTX-703, its oral, potent and selective degrader targeting KAT2A/B in cell lines and patient derived organoid models (PDXO) of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In NEPC cell lines and PDXO models treated for up to 21 days, AUTX-703 mediated potent KAT2A/KAT2B degradation, inhibited cell growth and induced cell state differentiation. AUTX-703 alone or in combination with enzalutamide was also found to induce cell differentiation in androgen receptor (AR) sensitive and AR resistant prostate cancer cell lines. These data support advancing AUTX-703 into clinical development for multiple sub-types of prostate cancer. 'These preclinical data show that AUTX-703 can effectively inhibit growth in multiple prostate cancer models, offering a novel approach to tackling these challenging cancers by targeting cell-state plasticity through KAT2A/B degradation,' said Kate Yen, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Auron. 'As we advance our first Phase 1 clinical trial in hematologic malignancies, these findings reinforce our confidence in AUTX-703's potential to offer meaningful benefits to patients with multiple tumor types facing limited options.' About Auron Therapeutics Auron Therapeutics is a platform-powered, product-driven company targeting cell-state plasticity to improve patient outcomes in oncology and inflammatory disease. Auron pioneered its AURIGIN™ platform, which uses AI and machine learning to compare cell states and identify novel drug targets, optimal development models, and biomarkers to facilitate proper patient selection, ultimately accelerating the development of effective and durable therapies. Using AURIGIN, the Company is building a pipeline of small molecule targeted therapies, led by a first-in-class, oral KAT2A/B degrader, AUTX-703, which is being developed for the treatment of both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. For more information, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn. Investor Contact: Renee LeckTHRUST Strategic Communicationsrenee@ Media Contact: Carly ScadutoCarly Scaduto ConsultingCarly@
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Phanes Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Clinical Study of Peluntamig (PT217) in Combination with Chemotherapy
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), a clinical stage biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery and development in oncology, announced today that the first patient has been dosed in the clinical study of peluntamig (PT217) in combination with chemotherapy. Peluntamig (PT217), a first-in-class native IgG-like bispecific antibody (bsAb) targeting DLL3 and CD47, is being developed for the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), including neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Peluntamig (PT217) was granted two orphan drug designations (ODD) for the treatment of SCLC and NEC, respectively, by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was also granted two Fast Track designations for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) with disease progression following platinum chemotherapy with or without a checkpoint inhibitor, and metastatic de novo or treatment-emergent neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), respectively, by the agency. Last year, Phanes entered into a clinical supply agreement with Roche to study peluntamig (PT217) in combination with Roche's anti-PD-L1 therapy, atezolizumab. The multi-center Phase I/II clinical trial of peluntamig (PT217) (NCT05652686), known as the SKYBRIDGE study, is currently evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of peluntamig (PT217) in patients with advanced or refractory cancers expressing DLL3. A Phase I clinical trial of peluntamig (PT217) is also ongoing in China (CTR20242720). ABOUT PHANES THERAPEUTICS Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery and development in oncology. Currently, it is conducting three Phase I/II clinical trials, including the MORNINGSTAR study with its best-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) program, mavrostobart (PT199), the TWINPEAK study with spevatamig (PT886) and the SKYBRIDGE study with peluntamig (PT217). Both spevatamig and peluntamig are first-in-class bispecific antibodies and have been granted orphan drug designations as well as Fast Track designations by the FDA. The company has built a strong pipeline by leveraging its proprietary technology platforms: PACbody®, SPECpair® and ATACCbody® to develop novel biologics that address high unmet medical needs in cancer. For more information about Phanes Therapeutics, please visit For business development or media inquiries, please contact bd@ or media@ respectively. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
