Coast Guard keeping constant vigil on coastline

Chennai, Jun 18 (UNI) Stringent security measures have been put in place along the Indian coastline in the wake of yesterday's high-pitch sea battle between the Sri Lankan Navy and LTTE off Gulf of Mannar.

As the influx of Sri Lankan refugees was expected to increase in the coming days with the threat of a war between LTTE and the Lankan military forces looming large, Coast Guard (CG) officials were keeping a strict and constant vigil on the coastline.

Coast Guard sources told UNI here today that security was beefed up in the entire stretch of Rameswaram to Dhanushkodi, one of the arrival points for refugees from Sri Lanka.

Two CG ships from CG Station Mandapam and the Indian Navy were already keeping a surveillance to prevent infiltration of any LTTE militants under the guise of refugees.

Securiy personnel have been deployed in large numbers due to escalating tension.

Fear struck Tamils living in Trincomalee, Killinochchi, Pesalai, Erukkenpatti, Kodikamam, Jaffna, Kundeswarar koil, Vavuniya and Mannar have started taking refuge in Tamil Nadu.

The refugees were even prepared to pay exorbitant charges to the fleecing boat owners for leaving the Island nation.

Official sources said about 3,220 refugees have reached Rameswaram since January this year. The number of refugees coming into the state was very high during the last few days and was expected to go up further.

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