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Even the Indian Coast Guard says so...
When will Jayalalitha stop screaming at Sri Lanka and so something about the thieves from her state? One wonders....
Coast Guard stresses need for border-consciousness
R Sivaraman, TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 06.39AM IST
MADURAI: Despite enhanced patrolling by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indian Navy(IN), cross-border fishing has not stopped in Palk Bay, the coast guard has said. It said fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line may be potential targets for non-state actors in the conduct of anti-national activities.
It has further warned that "these non-state actors may utilise these Indian fishing vessels to orchestrate serial blasts similar to the one carried out in Mumbai on 26/11.
In such a situation, the entire coast of Tamil Nadu and other eastern coasts of India will be vulnerable.
"In a suggestion to the state government, the coast guard pointed out that post-26/11, other coastal states such as Gujarat had instituted 'No Fishing Zones' along the Indo-Pak IMBL and had also instituted strict punitive measures against defaulters.
Similar strict orders would be required in the case of the Indo-Sri Lanka IMBL to avoid cross-border fishing. These warnings and suggestions have been made in the form of an affidavit before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court, seeking to vacate its earlier interim order which directed the Coast Guard and the navy to enhance security for Tamil fishermen who were prone to attacks perpetrated by alien regimes.
In a counter affidavit, filed by Inspector-General VSR Murthy of the Indian Coast Guard, through Additional Solicitor-General M Ravindran, the official said that according to the Indian High Commission, Colombo, as per information forwarded by the Sri Lankan authorities, in the past five months, 17,102 Indian fishing boats had been reported poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
Instances of alleged harassment of poor fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy had also been reported. Indian fishermen air these grievances only through the media instead of going through the legal process of lodging an FIR with the police.
The affidavit further said, "The cross-border fishing complaints as received from the Sri Lankan authorities have been forwarded to the Tamil Nadu Government for action. Despite giving ample documentary evidence of Indian fishing boats entering Lankan waters, cross-border fishing still continues.
"He submitted that ICG deployment comprises one ship along the International Maritime Boundary Line, round-the-clock and two interceptor boats, two air cushion vehicles and two interceptor craft regularly in the Palk Bay.
Besides this, regular air surveillance by ICG aircraft is carried out along the IMBL. In addition, the Indian Navy also deploys a ship round-the-clock in Palk Bay and carries out air surveillance with Indian Naval Aircraft.
Even after deploying so many assets in the Bay, Indian fishermen never called for assistance through marine communication systems when under attack, despite being a mandatory international practice. While most Indian trawlers carry VHF sets, Indian fishermen choose to sensationalize the alleged incident, instead of seeking assistance of ICG/IN units on patrol at sea.
The officer further pointed out that during enhanced patrolling by ICG, Sri Lankan Navy had reported on numerous occasions the presence of large number of Indian fishing boats operating in Sri Lankan waters. Reports received from the Lankan Navy indicate that cross-border fishing has not ceased.
"Stating that alleged attacks had taken place only in Sri Lankan waters, the official pointed out that no Sri Lankan naval vessel can intrude into Indian waters as the same will amount to contravention of legal treaties. The prevention of such intrusion is also ensured by ICG and IN ships patrolling along the IMBL. Hence, it is inferred that the alleged attacks on Indian fishermen has taken place only in Sri Lankan waters.
Murthy said, "No armed force vessels can cross into territorial waters of another country for protection of their fishermen since it will be construed as an intrusion into the sovereignty of that country." Reiterating that fishermen crossing the IMBL may be a potential target for forces inimical to the country, he said such forces may utilize these Indian fishing vessels for terrorist attacks similar to Mumbai 26/11. The petition also urged that the agencies concerned with the matter educate and instruct fishermen to refrain from crossing the IMBL to prevent further tensions.
Coast Guard stresses need for border-consciousness - The Times of India
When will Jayalalitha stop screaming at Sri Lanka and so something about the thieves from her state? One wonders....
Coast Guard stresses need for border-consciousness
R Sivaraman, TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 06.39AM IST
MADURAI: Despite enhanced patrolling by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indian Navy(IN), cross-border fishing has not stopped in Palk Bay, the coast guard has said. It said fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line may be potential targets for non-state actors in the conduct of anti-national activities.
It has further warned that "these non-state actors may utilise these Indian fishing vessels to orchestrate serial blasts similar to the one carried out in Mumbai on 26/11.
In such a situation, the entire coast of Tamil Nadu and other eastern coasts of India will be vulnerable.
"In a suggestion to the state government, the coast guard pointed out that post-26/11, other coastal states such as Gujarat had instituted 'No Fishing Zones' along the Indo-Pak IMBL and had also instituted strict punitive measures against defaulters.
Similar strict orders would be required in the case of the Indo-Sri Lanka IMBL to avoid cross-border fishing. These warnings and suggestions have been made in the form of an affidavit before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court, seeking to vacate its earlier interim order which directed the Coast Guard and the navy to enhance security for Tamil fishermen who were prone to attacks perpetrated by alien regimes.
In a counter affidavit, filed by Inspector-General VSR Murthy of the Indian Coast Guard, through Additional Solicitor-General M Ravindran, the official said that according to the Indian High Commission, Colombo, as per information forwarded by the Sri Lankan authorities, in the past five months, 17,102 Indian fishing boats had been reported poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
Instances of alleged harassment of poor fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy had also been reported. Indian fishermen air these grievances only through the media instead of going through the legal process of lodging an FIR with the police.
The affidavit further said, "The cross-border fishing complaints as received from the Sri Lankan authorities have been forwarded to the Tamil Nadu Government for action. Despite giving ample documentary evidence of Indian fishing boats entering Lankan waters, cross-border fishing still continues.
"He submitted that ICG deployment comprises one ship along the International Maritime Boundary Line, round-the-clock and two interceptor boats, two air cushion vehicles and two interceptor craft regularly in the Palk Bay.
Besides this, regular air surveillance by ICG aircraft is carried out along the IMBL. In addition, the Indian Navy also deploys a ship round-the-clock in Palk Bay and carries out air surveillance with Indian Naval Aircraft.
Even after deploying so many assets in the Bay, Indian fishermen never called for assistance through marine communication systems when under attack, despite being a mandatory international practice. While most Indian trawlers carry VHF sets, Indian fishermen choose to sensationalize the alleged incident, instead of seeking assistance of ICG/IN units on patrol at sea.
The officer further pointed out that during enhanced patrolling by ICG, Sri Lankan Navy had reported on numerous occasions the presence of large number of Indian fishing boats operating in Sri Lankan waters. Reports received from the Lankan Navy indicate that cross-border fishing has not ceased.
"Stating that alleged attacks had taken place only in Sri Lankan waters, the official pointed out that no Sri Lankan naval vessel can intrude into Indian waters as the same will amount to contravention of legal treaties. The prevention of such intrusion is also ensured by ICG and IN ships patrolling along the IMBL. Hence, it is inferred that the alleged attacks on Indian fishermen has taken place only in Sri Lankan waters.
Murthy said, "No armed force vessels can cross into territorial waters of another country for protection of their fishermen since it will be construed as an intrusion into the sovereignty of that country." Reiterating that fishermen crossing the IMBL may be a potential target for forces inimical to the country, he said such forces may utilize these Indian fishing vessels for terrorist attacks similar to Mumbai 26/11. The petition also urged that the agencies concerned with the matter educate and instruct fishermen to refrain from crossing the IMBL to prevent further tensions.
Coast Guard stresses need for border-consciousness - The Times of India
