Police intensify vigil to prevent militant entry

Rameswaram, Apr 26 (UNI) Police intensified vigil in this coastal town to prevent infiltration of militants disguised as refugees, in the wake of retaliatory attacks by the Sri Lankan army in LTTE- dominated areas of Eastern Trincomalee.

Police sources told UNI that vigil had been stepped up in Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, the entry point to India via sea from Sri Lanka.

Yesterday's suicide bomber attack on the Lankan army cheif, seriously injuring him, has escalated the tension in the island.

Coast Guard and Naval authorities are also keeping a close eye on the high seas.

Meanwhile, four refugees who landed in Chennai from Colombo by air, were sent to Mandapam Refugee Camp, near here. Kamatchi (55), Karthik (23) and two children, flew in with valid documents.

After ascertaining their identity, they were sent to the camp.

Officials said the state machinery was being geared up to tackle the possible heavy influx of refugees.

Official sources said so far 223 families of 610 refugees - 215 men, 206 women, 96 boys and 93 girls - had come to India in the last two to three months.

Meanwhile, police arrested a woman at Karaiyur village, near here, and seized 716 gelatine sticks, 483 detonators and 30 m of wire from her residence. The gelatine sticks were reportedly meant for use during fishing in high seas.

The woman's husband was absconding and police launched a search.

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