Date:25/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022509510400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Process of invoking NSA against accused on: DGP

K.T. Sangameswaran

Attempt to smuggle IED components to Sri Lanka

CHENNAI: The process of invoking National Security Act against persons involved in the attempted smuggling of explosives and components is on. This is to deter persons from indulging in similar nefarious activities. With a view to strengthening the intelligence system, personnel in coastal districts had been instructed to carry out cycle and foot-patrolling in villages, the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police, D. Mukherjee, told The Hindu .

Sivapadmanabhan of Sri Lanka, one of the five persons caught by the Coast Guard personnel on February 13 from an explosives-lined mechanised boat belonging to the LTTE, was a "Black Tiger." Five grenades, an explosives-filled jacket and a satellite phone among other articles were seized from the boat. What came as a shock to investigators was the presence of Ramachandran of Tamil Nadu in the boat. All the other four were Sri Lankan nationals, and one among them Arumai Nayagam Purushothaman, was a Sea Tiger. The DGP said Ramachandran alias Ramar and seven others who belonged to Ramanathapuram and Madurai districts, were earlier booked by the Ramanathapuram Town police station in 2002 for allegedly attempting to smuggle to the LTTE about 275 metres of explosive wire. Five LTTE cassettes and a van were also seized. Already three persons who were arrested in connection with the seizure of 30 bags of explosive substances from a car, which met with an accident near Manamadurai on November 29 last year, had been detained under NSA. Also, a similar action against 12 persons, including five Sri Lankan Tamils, who were secured in connection with the seizure of iron ball bearings meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka recently, was being considered.

Mr. Mukherjee said police in the coastal districts had been instructed to go on cycles and by walk to interior villages to gather intelligence. "They will add to the efforts of the Coastal Security Group." It was due to the intelligence gathered by the Ramanathapuram district police that the seizure of aluminium ingots, meant for Sri Lanka, were seized.

When the proposed Marine Police Stations became operational, they would give the police the strength of water-borne surveillance, which was the most important aspect in enhancing coastal security. Also, a strict vigil was being maintained on all the open-air Sri Lankan refugee camps to check unauthorised presence.