Efforts on to free abducted TN fishermen: DGP

Chennai, May 1 (UNI) Twelve Indian fishermen, held captive by 'Sea Tigers' wing of the LTTE on March 3, are safe and efforts are on to secure their safe release, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police D Mukherjee said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said negotiations have been initiated through the fishermen community to free them and hoped that the efforts would succeed.

The LTTE had abducted the fishermen at mid-sea after they ventured into the waters from Sakthikulangara in Kollam district of Kerala.

Mr Mukherjee pointed out that in view of the tense situation prevailing in the island nation, security measures have been tightened in all the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and the movement of newcomers was being closely watched in the coastal belts. He had directed that vehicle checks should be intensified at all checkposts in the coastal areas.

He said joint patrol in deep sea had also been intensified, besides maintaining a close vigil on the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camps across the State.

UNI