Indian Navy steps up surveillance

Chennai, May 14 (UNI) Following reports of recent attack on Indian fishermen along the Southern coastal area, the Indian Navy has stepped up its surveillance along Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar here.

Talking to newspersons here today, Eastern Naval Command's Vice flag officer commanding in chief Admiral Raman Prem Suthan said two more ships were attached to the eatern fleet for extra vigil along the coast of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar taking the total to four.

''In the next few days three more unmanned aerial vehicles will also be attached for extra security measures'', he said adding ''this is in the wake of recent 'activities' along these coastal areas, he said''.

Describing the fight between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers of LTTE as a 'skirmish', he said the Indian fishermen fell prey to such activities.

''Infact, the Navy is in the process of educating the fishermen not to cross the international waters and we will take the help of the Tamil Nadu government in this regard,'' he said.

To a question, vice admiral Suthan said the Navy had no clue about the 12 missing fishermen from Kanyakumari, who were abducted by the LTTE about a month back.

The FOC-in-C official also ruled out any threat to Indian coastal area by the LTTE and said ''To maintain sustained peace along the Southern coastal area, we are always in touch with the Sri Lankan Navy''.

''Apart from this, we have also proposed to aoquire land in Ramanathapuram, Ennore, Tutocorin and Chennai port for setting up Naval base to strengthen the security measures'', he said.

UNI