Date:09/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/09/stories/2008080954810600.htm

Tamil Nadu

“Firing incidents did not take place in Indian waters”

Special Correspondent

It is wrong to say that Coast Guard and Navy failed to protect fishermen

It’s going on well: Inspector-General S.P.S. Basra, Commander, Coast Guard Region, East, at the Coast Guard Station in Mandapam on Friday. Commandant K. Janardhanan is in the picture.

RAMANATHAPURAM: Firing incidents against Tamil Nadu fishermen did not take place in Indian waters, according to Inspector General S.P.S. Basra, Commander, Coast Guard Region, East.

Speaking to The Hindu after visiting the Coast Guard Station at Mandapam near here on Friday, he said it was absolutely wrong to say that the Coast Guard and the Navy had failed to protect the fishermen against attacks perpetuated by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Stressing that not a single incident had took place on the Indian side of the International Maritime Boundary Line, Mr. Basra, said the Coast Guard and the Navy were quite capable of dealing with any infringement on the Indian waters.

Asked about the Coast Guard’s joint patrolling with Coastal Security Group (CSG), he said it was going on well.

The concept was to exchange vital information to strengthen the coast against maritime violation. The CSG personnel had been given training to work on the seafront, too.

He said the joint patrolling would be a permanent initiative.

The Coast Guard was ready to undertake similar type of patrolling with the marine police wings of other States. He said additional staff quarters would be constructed at the Mandapam Coast Guard station at a cost of Rs.10 crore. Several other infrastructural facilities, including a jetty, would be created.

Earlier, Mr. Basra held discussions with Commandant K. Janardhanan, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station, Mandapam, on the security scenario.