Indian defence boats sent to Palk bay to stop LTTE
(By Walter Jayawardhana)
An Indian Defence boat and a coast guard ship have
been despatched to the Palk Bay between Sri Lanka and India in the wake
of intelligence reports that Tamil Tigers could be sending some cadres
to Tamil Nadu, Indian security reports said.
Due to the onslaught of the Sri Lankan security forces
LTTE terrorists have been planning to escape to India, Sri Lankan forces
also suspected.
There had been intense activity in the Wanni also to
despatch injured LTTE leaders for treatment to India, other intelligence
reports said.
A naval defence Boat T-60 and the Coast Guard ship
Razia Sultana have been deployed in the Palk Bay in the wake of the
reports Indian security reports said.
Indian security sources were quoted having said speed
boats had been asked to intensify patrolling along the Indian coastline,
and added that helicopters have also been pressed into service.
"The deployed vessels have been fitted with radars and
30 MM Medak guns and 12.7mm guns. The ships were also expected to
prevent Indian fishermen from entering Lankan waters," a report from
Chennai said.
LTTE political ally Vaiko, the leader of the
Marumalarchchi Dravida Munnetra kazhagam (MDMK) has appealed to the
Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh that the Sri Lankan underwater
security measures should be removed at the maritime border of the two
countries. |
