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Probe on break-in
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The Canadian police are investigating after the Toronto headquarters of the Canadian Tamil Congress was broken into and a computer that may contain “sensitive information” — including the names of the recent wave of migrants and their families — was stolen.
The break and enter is believed to have taken place between 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the office, located on Progress Ave. in Scarborough. There were forced signs of entry.
David Poopalapillai, a spokesperson for the Tamil Congress, said some rooms in the office were ransacked and computers and telephones were left on the floor. The computer at the main reception desk was taken.
Poopalapillai is worried that the identities of the 492 Sri Lankan immigrants smuggled into Canada off the coast of British Columbia last month aboard the MV Sun Sea were on the computer. The identities of the migrant’s families still living in the fragile Asian nation also could have been taken.
“We were targeted. We fully well know we were targeted because we were involved in this Sun Sea issue,” he said.
The names of the migrants aboard the Sun Sea are subject to a publication ban ordered by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee board.
“Either it’s a hate crime or we have a strong feeling Sri Lankan intelligence has a hand behind this,” added Poopalapillai.
He said the Canadian Tamil Congress has received hate mail and heated telephone calls about the Sun Sea issue from those who believe the group is “helping illegals.” He also mentioned that some migrants aboard the boat had agreed to come forward and give information about war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government during the country’s recent civil war.
“If the Sri Lankan government has that information they can then go and intimidate the family members (still in Sri Lanka) to stop them from speaking out,” he said.
According to Poopalapillai, Toronto police are taking the investigation “very seriously.” The Congress will not know exactly what information was taken until Monday.
The Canadian Tamil Congress is a non-profit organization serving the voices of Tamil Canadians. Headquartered in Toronto, it has 11 chapters across the country. (The Star)
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