The Hindu : Action against fishermen only for straying deep

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Action against fishermen only for straying deep

By Our Staff Reporter

ARAKKONAM Dec.20. The Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards have decided after talks that action be taken against fishermen of either country only when they stray deep into the waters of the other nation, Sureesh Chandra Mehta, Director-General, Coast Guard, said today.

The fishermen would not be prosecuted for just straying a bit what with invisible borders. On such occasions, they would be warned and sent back. Interaction between the two Coast Guard organisations would continue, he told newsmen here.

There was no question of withdrawing patrolling on the Indo-Pakistan borders in the wake of the recent peace initiative. For, Coast Guard patrolling was essentially a peace time activity, Vice-Admiral, Mehta, said in reply to a question.

Asked about Coast Guard modernisation, he said a Rs.7000-crore exercise was being planned. "We will phase out old ships and procure indigenously-manufactured ships equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities".

A sum of Rs.1000 crores was spent on acquiring the latest gadgets and Rs.

6000 crores would be spent on modernisation including purchase of new vessels and controlling sea pollution caused by oil spills from ships.

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