The Hindu : Navy exchanges fire with intruders near Dhanuskodi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 10, 2002

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National

Navy exchanges fire with intruders near Dhanuskodi

By Our Staff Reporter

Ramanathapuram July 9. The Indian Navy and some unidentified persons who were in the guise of Sri Lankan Navy personnel exchanged fire on the second island (sand dune) near Dhanuskodi last night.

According to the Second-Commanding Officer, Ghosh of the Rameswaram Naval Detachment, five persons, under the guise of Sri Lankan Navy personnel, trespassed into Indian waters and asked at gunpoint, fishermen, near Dhansukodi, to raise their hands.

However, the Navy personnel who were on a routine patrol, noticed their fibreglass boat near the first island, just 500 m away from the Dhanuskodi coast, and warned the boatman to stop. But they ignored the warning and moved towards Sri Lanka. The Navy personnel gave a chase and as they neared the second island, the boatmen opened fire. The Navy personnel retaliated, firing two rounds but the intruders escaped to Sri Lanka.

Later all 14 fishermen, were taken to the Naval Detachement. They said all the five intruders, clad in light blue shirts and dark blue trousers (uniform of the Sri Lankan Navy), asked them what their names and native places were, said Mr. Ghosh.

The Superintendent of Police, Ashok Kumar Das, visited Rameswaram and, along with Navy Commandos undertook a check from Arichlamunai to Devil's point. However, neither the Navy nor the police could ascertain the identity of the five intruders.

Talking to presspersons, he said the police stepped up vigil in the coastal areas of this district. Five observation posts had been set up to ensure round-the-clock vigil and navy commandos were being pressed into service to step up vigil over the Adams bridge, covering all five islands, restricting illicit ferrying of boats and preventing infiltration of Sri Lankan Tamil militants.

The Deputy Inspector-General, Ramanathapuram range, Sunil Kumar Singh, said it was decided to deploy CRPF personnel in the coastal areas, following the registration of a case under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against the MDMK general secretary, Vaiko, and in view of the visit of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, to Ramanthapuram in the third week of this month. The coastal wing ADGP, Ramalingam, agreed to extend the services of CRPF personnel in the coastal areas.

Forty-four constables were asked to visit everyday at least three of the 100 coastal villages in the district to gather information on anti-social elements, said the DIG.

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