In the wake of "spillover of ongoing skirmishes between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers of the LTTE into Indian waters," the Indian Navy has increased surveillance in the Palk Strait, a top naval official said on Monday.
Vice-Admiral Raman Prem Suthan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, told reporters that the number of naval ships patrolling the area had been increased from two to four while an unmanned aerial vehicle was also keeping vigil.
"Two more UAVs will be pressed into service soon," he said.
Describing the fight between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers of the LTTE as a "skirmish", he said the Indian fishermen fell prey to such activities.
"They cross the international maritime boundary for better and end up victims of the firing (between Sri Lankan Navy and Sea Tigers)," he said.
In fact, the navy was in the process of educating the fishermen not to cross the IMB and was taking the help of the Tamil Nadu government in this regard.
Responding to a query, Suthan said the Navy had no information about the 12 missing fishermen from Kanyakumari, who were abducted by the LTTE about a month back. He also ruled out any threat by the Sea Tigers to India.
Further, with a view to expanding its services in the area, the navy was looking to acquire lands in Ramanathapuram and have more "footing in the ports of the Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin," he said.
"We are in discussion with the state agencies concerned in this regard," Suthan added.
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