UPA, TN for coordinated patrolling along the coast

New Delhi, May 29: The Centre and the Tamil Nadu government would provide coordinated patrolling of coastal areas to ensure the security of Tamil fishermen, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan said here today.

After a 30-minute meeting with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Mr Narayanan told reporters that he would visit Tamil Nadu on Thursday to hold further discussions with the DMK chief for taking measures to protect the fishermen.

The NSA called on the Chief Minister on the directive of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr Karunanidhi had met Dr Singh last evening and sought protection to the fishermen in the wake of several incidents of firing at them by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Mr Narayanan said the Centre had also taken note of the capability of the LTTE in the air and on the sea. LTTE is a terrorist outfit and India realised the threat posed by it, he said and added that this would also figure at the talks he would have during his visit to Tamil Nadu.

UNI