CHENNAI: The Navy and the Coast Guard (CG) are working in a very scientific manner to inform the fishing community in Tamil Nadu on where to find richer fishing pockets in the sea, said Union Minister of State for Defence, MM Pallam Raju. Availability of such information is vital to avoid clashes with forces of neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, he added.Speaking to reporters after commissioning Indian CG ship ICGS Rajtarang here, the Minister said the government was now in constant touch with the establishment in Sri Lanka to ensure that its forces did not act in an aggressive manner against Indian fishermen. “I am sure that the Sri Lankan Government is also sensitive about our fishermen transgressing into their waters,” he said. While pointing out that he was not aware of the exact number of incidents involving SL navy and fishermen from the area, Raju said the Coast Guard was also constantly expanding its fleet in the region to protect the coastline.On the issue of roadblocks to the CG’s expansion in the northwest, owing to the delay in handing over land by the Gujarat government, the Minister said that State governments, especially after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, were aware of the threat that an unprotected coast will pose. Therefore, he was hopeful all State governments will support measures adopted by the CG in the interest of security, he said.On a question related to the growing presence of China in the region, the Minister said he saw no reason for a conflict between the two neighbours. However, India was equipping itself with a strong deterrence posture so that no external power took it for granted.Earlier, the Minister commissioned CG Ship Rajtarang, which is second in the series of state-of-the-art Inshore Patrol Vessels inducted into the fleet. Six more such vehicles were being built and would soon be patrolling the waters, he said.
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