Navy dismisses LTTE threat to India

Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Apr 11: Dismissing the proscribed LTTE as a potential security risk, the Navy made light of the militant group's enhanced presence as a threat to either the country's security or its economic interests.

According to Naval officials here, the LTTE had clearly instructed its Sea Tiger cadre not to open fire on Indian patrol vessels and also to surrender when surrounded.

An official said ''we don't perceive any threat from the Tigers at the moment. This, however, should not be taken as complacency, it was underlined.'' In the Navy's opinion, the LTTE, which had its hands full with the war against the island army could not open a fresh battle front with the Indian Navy being equipped with superior technology and logistical support.

However, reigning supreme in the sea was considered to provide greater influence in the battlefront on the mainland.

Joint-patrolling with the Lankan Navy was rejected outright as a move that would entangle New Delhi militarily in the ongoing war in that nation, it was pointed out.

Even while admitting that it was a political decision to be taken at the government level, the officials observed that it would take the Navy directly in conflict with the LTTE.

Until now, the Navy had exercised restraint in crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) though it was a national one. As such, engagements such as joint-patrolling would have to be viewed from that angle. Explaining the strategic underpinnings, they questioned the rationale behind the media hype and said the disastrous and bitter experiences of the IPKF phase could not be forgotten that easily.

Hence, their argument was that there should be adequate caution in the post-IPKF phase as well.

The country's Defence preparedness, in their view, should provide deterrence against the enemy in any given situation instead of a separate plan for the Sea Tigers or the Air Tigers, which would be a knee-jerk reaction. Everything would be factored into it was made clear.

Responding to issues arising out of suspected movement of Lankan militants in the sensitive waters, the Naval officials said thus far they had neither come across any activity connected to the LTTE nor any militant been secured.

Moreover, the fact remained that the refugees and others secured by the Navy were being handed over to the local police. The Navy did not keep a data bank on those secured though there was apprehension about this being taken as an exoneration of the Lankan Tamil militants.

UNI