SPELLING OUT STRATEGY: Flag Officer Commanding - in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Raman Prem Suthan (right) and P.E.Vanhal Tren, Naval Officer incharge, Tamil Nadu (left) at a press conference in Chennai on Monday. — Photo: S . R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: To strengthen coastal security, the Indian Navy has intensified patrolling in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Raman Prem Suthan, said on Monday.

The Navy was also trying to develop some more areas to operate larger aircraft for better surveillance. It was looking for a foothold at the Ennore port and Tuticorin. It was in talks with the State Government to acquire land, he told reporters here.

Vice Admiral Suthan said the Navy was engaged in multi-layer surveillance closer to the coast and the International Maritime Boundary Line.

The Palk Bay was a complicated issue, and the most difficult task was an effective surveillance. The Naval Officer In Charge, Tamil Nadu, had put in place an effective system. Four ships were now patrolling the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar as against two in the past. Air searches were being carried out.

Vice Admiral Suthan said LTTE activities were closer to the Sri Lankan coast. Sri Lanka had banned fishing off its coast so that it could identify Sea Tigers easily.

Attack on fishermen

On the attacks on Indian fishermen, he said the Naval Officer In Charge was in touch with Sri Lankan authorities.

Also, more often the Navy received reports that Indian fishermen crossed the boundary for better catch. Besides trying to prevent Indian boats from crossing, the Navy, through the State Government, was trying to create awareness among the fishermen so that they did not get caught in the crossfire.

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