Hundreds of Sri Lankan refugees in India are risking their lives every year to make dangerous sea voyages to third countries like Australia after being preyed on by people smugglers.
Refugees pay up to 30,000 rupees to the human smugglers, a large amount for a refugee who does not have an income.
Aid groups and the police have launched campaigns warning refugees of the perils of making such trips following a recent rise in reports of smugglers trying to entice people to migrate illegally.
Sri Lanka’s 25-year-old civil conflict, which ended in 2009, saw tens of thousands of Tamil refugees fleeing to neighbouring India.
Most have settled in Tamil Nadu where they live in camps. Aid workers say agents working for organised smuggling rackets are taking advantage of the refugees. According to aid groups, there are around 73,000 refugees living in 115 camps across Tamil Nadu.
The Indian authorities have been providing them with shelter, food, health and education services as well as financial allowances.
Over the years, children have been born in camps, refugees have married one another and many have gained educational and vocational skills in India.
Officials say while many have assimilated in India or are interested in returning to Sri Lanka now that the war is over, there are still many who believe their future lies in wealthier nations.
Aid groups say they are particularly worried that many are putting their lives at risk to reach their dream destination packed onto crowded ramshackle fishing boats for weeks in turbulent seas.
Reports are becoming increasingly common of illegal migrants dying at sea after their boats capsize.
With many unwilling to go back to Sri Lanka, the refugee problem has just compounded. It is for the states to ensure safety and basic human rights of these people torn apart by conflict.