The Hindu : Front Page : Underwater defence system in place to check Sea Tigers

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Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
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Underwater defence system in place to check Sea Tigers

C. Jaishankar

Sri Lankan Navy wants Indian Navy to warn Tamil Nadu fishermen

Sea mines laid between Kachchatheevu and Neduntheevu
Naval attachments on Rameswaram-Nagapattinam coast alerted

RAMANATHAPURAM: The Sri Lankan Navy has put in place an “underwater defence system” between Kachchatheevu and Neduntheevu (Delft Island) as part of efforts to curtail the movement of Sea Tigers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. A communication about laying of sea mines was sent to the Indian Navy.

The Sri Lankan Navy wanted the Indian Navy to warn Tamil Nadu fishermen against crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.

Indian fishermen claim that the sea between Kachchatheevu and Neduntheevu, though within Sri Lankan territorial waters, is their “traditional” fishing ground. A section of fishermen regularly cross the IMBL for fishing.

Talking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Commodore Phillip Van Haltren, Naval Officer In-Charge, Tamil Nadu, said he had received the communication from the Sri Lankan Navy on the installation of the seawater defence system. The message was passed on to Chief Secretary L.K Tripathy and other departments concerned. All Naval Detachments from Rameswaram to Nagapattinam on the east coast were alerted.

“The message implied there will be serious consequences if fishing boats from Tamil Nadu or elsewhere come in contact with the explosives planted in the water. Hence, the seriousness of the warning message has been immediately sent to the authorities concerned. The fishermen will have to keep away from the danger zone,” Mr. Haltren said.

Although he said he had no idea what the Sri Lankan Navy had in mind, he believed the new strategy was not aimed at Tamil Nadu fishermen but at the LTTE. “An all-out war has begun between the Sri Lankan Government forces and the LTTE. Hence, our fishermen and fishing boats should not run into it [underwater explosives],” he said.

“The Indian territory is calm. It would not have any effect in our area, as the area chosen for the underwater defence is well inside their territory,” he said in response to a question.

Commander S. Mukherji, Area Commander, South, said 12 fishing boats had been detained on Monday for maritime violation. Patrolling had been intensified and fishermen should take the warning very seriously, he said.

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