The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Security stepped up off Rameswaram

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Monday, Jan 28, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Security stepped up off Rameswaram

C. Jaishankar

Navy and Coast Guard vessels to monitor fishing boats, LTTE movement

TIGHT SECURITY: A Coast Guard ship positioned at IMBL off Rameswaram coast stopping fishing boats from crossing over.

RAMESWARAM: Even as the indefinite strike of Rameswaram fishermen enters the fourth day on Monday, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard have positioned two ships at strategic positions along the International Maritime Boundary Line off Rameswaram coast.

“A comprehensive security arrangement is in place in the Palk Bay and Palk Strait. Supported by air surveillance sorties, two sophisticated ships have been positioned round the clock in strategic areas to prevent illegal operators,” Commodore Phillip Van Haltren, Naval Officer In-Charge, told The Hindu.

While Seaward Defence Boat T-60 of Indian Navy has taken its position in the security Zone-I off Palk Bay, ICGS Razia Sultana, led by Commandant S. S. Dasila, a fast patrol vessel of Coast Guard based at Paradip port has taken control of Zone-II. The vessel fitted with two radars has nearly 60 crew members on board and possesses 30 mm Medak guns and 12.7 mm guns.

Security agencies said besides “monitoring” fishing boats violating maritime regulations, the Navy and Coast Guard vessels would closely monitor the movement of LTTE men from the Island nation in the wake of ongoing aggressive war.

The number of fishermen crossing IMBL has come down due to the strike by Rameswaram fishermen. However, still a few country as well as mechanised boats of Pamban and other areas cross it for poaching.

Fishermen have been up in arms against the Sri Lankan Navy ever since it sent an official message to the Indian Navy a few days ago that it had activated an underwater defence system between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu (Delft Island). They claim that it is not correct on the part of the Island Navy to mine Katchatheevu, which was given by India, as the Tamil Nadu fishermen have the right to enter it for fishing. They are also demanding the release of 12 fishermen arrested by it for entering the Sri Lankan territorial waters.

Since a section of fishermen openly stated at a meeting convened at Rameswaram recently by the Government that they would continue to go around Katchatheevu in spite of the news of planting of mines in that area, the Navy has tightened the security arrangements in the sea off Rameswaram.

A section of fishermen on strike expressed unhappiness that the State Government had not yet taken up the mines issue with the Sri Lankan Government.

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