Surveillance strengthened following rumours in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30 (UNI) The Marine Enforcement Wing of the Kerala police has strengthened the surveillance following rumours that a fishing boat laden with weapons had moved to Kollam coast.

''Though we have no official information in this regard, we are not rejecting the rumour outrightly in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai,'' Kollam Superintendent of Police M A Ajithkumar told UNI today.

''Even though it was not an official information, we were taking the issue very seriously,'' he said, adding, the police had taken all precautionary measures and directed the Marine Enforcement Wing to keep keen vigil off the Kollam coast.

Besides this, They had sought Coast Guard help, in case of any eventuality, he added.

The police official said since Kollam coast was a safe place for spirit smugglers, we were not ruling out that the information was not false, as the boat may be indulged in spirit smuggling.

Though the police team had made searches in the boats anchored in the Neendakara fishing harbour, no doubtful materials could be found, he added.

According to the sources from the state Home Minister, necessary instructions had been issued to the Marine police and Coast Guard to keep vigil in the area, following the information from the media.

There were rumours that a boat laden with weapons meant to smuggle to Kohikode port was moving to Kollam, as the security check in the Malabar region had been strengthened following the Mumbai attack.

UNI CGV DS GL GC1456