Indian Coast Guard steps up vigil

CHENNAI: Indian Coast Guard vessels are carrying out coordinated patrolling to keep up surveillance to check any LTTE infiltration along the Tamil Nadu coast, Director General of Indian Coast Guard, Vice Admiral R. F. Contractor said on Tuesday.

He was answering a question on the looming LTTE infiltration in view of the offensive by the Army in Killinochchi.

In view of the threat perception of any infiltration along the coast, the Coast Guard has increased patrolling and enhanced vigilance, Contractor told reporters on board CG Vivek. Elaborating the new vision for the modernisation of Indian Coast Guard, he said: "To protect the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, which is expected to increase

further in coming years, we have the 15 years Perspective Plan for the force."

According to the plan is being envisaged to enhance the capabilities, old vessels would be decommissioned soon and the manpower from those vessels could be redeployed in other patrol ships, he added.

"Nearly 20 new patrolling vessels, including an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), pollution control vessels, offshore patrol vessels and inshore patrol vessels will be added to the service by March 2009," he said.

Contractor said the AOPV, Samrat fitted with latest and sophisticated equipment would be commissioned this month.

Contractor, who will be retiring after 37 years of service on November 30, was given a 'Guard of Honour' off Chennai coast by a fleet of eight patrolling vessels.

He took the guard of honour on board CG Vivek.