Navy, Coast Guard Conducting Intensive Patrolling of India-Sri Lanka Maritime Border
Dated 17/5/2007
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The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard carry out intensive patrolling under Operation Tasha using hovercraft, surface ships and aircraft.
The patrolling is done on the Indian side of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in Palk Bay for monitoring fishing and other maritime activities; preventing terrorists from using the sea and preventing smuggling of contraband across the IMBL.
Similarly, the Sri Lankan Navy also carries out regular patrol on their side of IMBL. The Coast Guard, the local police and port authorities regularly advise the fishing community not to cross the IMBL.
Close patrolling is carried out by the Coast Guard along the Tamil Nadu coast, in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau. Seizure of narcotics was carried out on 7 January 2006, 19 February 2006, 20 February 2006 and 12 March 2006. Overall there were five incidents of interception of contraband from January to July 2006 when the Coast Guard has caught smuggled goods worth Rs. 228.58 crore during patrolling.