Chennai, Dec 29 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard is taking necessary steps to protect Indian fishermen from the attacks of the Sri Lankan Navy, an official said.
Speaking to reporters after handing over charge to Inspector General (IG) Satya Prakash Sharma, outgoing IG of the Eastern Region A. Rajasekhar said the Coast Guard has taken required steps to protect Indian fishermen.
He said the number of attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and the level of poaching by the fishermen from the island nation in Indian waters have considerably reduced due to the Coast Guard’s vigil.
He said that orders have been placed for 12 hovercrafts to beef up the force’s fleet strength.
He said new air stations would be set up at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and at Bhubaneshwar in Orissa. A new Coast Guard air enclave is being planned at Kolkata in West Bengal.
He said Coast Guard stations in Nizamapattinam and Krishnapattinam in Andhra Pradesh; Frazergunj in West Bengal; Karaikal in Puducherry, and Gopalpur in Orissa are also planned. The Coast Guard has acquired land at Vishakapatnam, Krishnapattinam, Paradip, Gopalpur and Haldia.
