T'Nadu steps up coastal security

The Tamil Nadu State government plans to set up 12 new Marine Police stations along the coast in addition to the present 60 to 100 within the next six months to curb arms smuggling to Sri Lanka.

Recruits for the Marine Unit will be drawn from the Tamil Nadu Special Police.Expertise in swimming as well as training by the Customs Department and the Coast Guard will be provided to them, the Media Centre for National Security reported in its website.

Security along the Tamil Nadu coast has been given priority after "30 sacks of detonators" were found in a van which met with an accident in the Sivaganga district two months ago. Investigations reveal that the detonators were "meant for the Tiger terrorists". There was also an incident when the LTTE were found smuggling 'gelex' boosters from Andhra Pradesh.

According to an official: "That discovery warranted very serious notice" and "it was decided that there should be greater monitoring of coastal villages and what are known as landing points for smugglers on the coast".

The task is extremely challenging. The Tamil Nadu coast is ideal for smuggling activities which has gone on since time immemorial and smuggling is a traditional occupation for many. The numerous waterways which lead out to the sea, covered with dense mangrove swamps gives good cover for illegal activities. The LTTE has also through the years selected sympathisers and supporters for their "cause", often paying massive sums of money to the people. Fishermen, as well as other 'useful' contacts to deliver and act as middlemen with 'safe houses' for storage and transporting the contraband have been cultivated for the purpose.

The LTTE has also the benefit of strong and emotional cultural, religious and language ties with the people of Tamil Nadu. Due to this, the LTTE has well known VIPs who are sympathisers to their "cause". These ties were revealed especially during investigations into the brutal murder of the late Indian Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi.