Tightened security in place to prevent explosives smuggling

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 23 (UNI) In the backdrop of the recent seizure of an explosives-laden boat of LTTE and recovery of raw materials at various places in the state, the Tamil Nadu police have made ''exhaustive security arrangements'' to prevent such smuggling, says a senior police officer.

Addressing a press conference here today, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order K V S Murthy said the state perceived ''no threat'' in the wake of the seizures at Ramanathapuram and Madurai. ''The explosives were not intended for the state,'' he added.

Security along the coastal areas had been strengthened and special police teams were formed in the 12 coastal districts, to look into the smuggling of such subverive items.

However, in view of the recent incidents, the Centre had given its nod for establishing 12 Marine Police Stations to safeguard the vast coastal stretch of the state.

The Marine Police Stations would be equipped with two boats each to patrol the stretch from the coast up to the limits assigned to Coast Guard Personnel. The construction works for these Stations were underway and within one year, the Stations would be operational, he added.

He said the Centre had also sanctioned 40 check posts in addition to the existing 60, on the coastal line from Chennai to Kanyakumari.

This is apart from the checkposts of the district police. The 60 Coastal Check Posts of the Coastal Security Groups were exclusively meant to check the smuggling activities through seas.

Apart from the Coastal Check Posts, each district has four to five check posts on their own. Now, it is going to be a joint-effort for the district police and Coastal Security Group to check the smuggling activities. The Superintendents of Police were directly involving in the exercise, he added.

To a query, the ADGP said the state police was now engaged in scouting on the possible landing points of the suspected LTTE sympathisers for smuggling activities.

UNI