Navy will strengthen security along south-eastern coast

Rameswaram (TN), Jan 14 (PTI) Navy would strengthensecurity along the south-eastern coast in the wake of attackson Indian fishermen allegedly by Sri Lankan Naval personnel, asenior Naval official said here today.

"We will strengthen security along the South-Easterncoast," Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of Eastern NavalCommand (Visakhapattinam) S V Dhokare told reporters afterreviewing coastal security measures here.

The senior Naval official undertook the exercise a dayafter India lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka over thekilling of a Tamil Nadu fisherman allegedly by the islandNavy.

Dhokare said the Navy had informed the Centre about theincident in which a fisherman from Jagadapattinnam nearPudukottai was killed in alleged firing by Sri Lankan Navalpersonnel on Wednesday.

He said the government had taken up the issue with SriLanka.

Dhokare also made an aerial survey of the sea aroundRameswaram along with senior Naval officers and visited thenearby Naval Air Station at Uchipuli and Naval Detachment hereand held discussions with senior officials, including SAgarwal, Commanding Officer of Naval Detachment.

The country had yesterday summoned Sri Lankan HighCommissioner Prasad Kariyawasam and lodged a strong protestover the killing of the fisherman, saying such incidents haveno "justification".

New Delhi urged Sri Lankan authorities to "desist" fromuse of force against fishermen.

The incident also evoked a strong reaction from TamilNadu with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sending a telegram toPrime Minister Manmohan Singh for strong action to end such"atrocities".

The Sri Lankan envoy, however, denied involvement of hiscountry''s Navy in the killing of the fisherman.

Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard DIG and Commander of ICGship ''Vikram'' Raj said the fishermen crossed Indianterritorial waters resulting in attacks by Lankan Navy.

"However, it is wrong to shoot innocent fishermen," he saidand appealed the fishermen not to cross the InternationalMaritime Boundary Line.