New Delhi, January 31
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today said the controversial Sethusamudram shipping canal project has “security implications” which have been “conveyed” to the government.
Addressing the media ahead of the 31st anniversary of the ICG, its Director-General Vice-Admiral Rusi Contractor said, “There are security implications because of the closeness of the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary”.
He also said the Coast Guard was ‘closely monitoring’ the influx of Tamil refugees into this country to ensure that LTTE guerrillas ‘don’t slip through’.
On the Sethusamudram project, he said the Coast Guard had conveyed the implications to the government. “Complications are there and I am sure these will be addressed,” he added.
When asked to elaborate on the implications and complications, Vice-Admiral Contractor said, “If the seaway is opened up, there could be issues of piracy. Then, in a narrow channel, if a ship has problems, this will also have to be addressed.”
“There is also the question of the close proximity (of the maritime boundary) with a country with which there is a problem existing,” he added.
The project involves dredging a canal in the Indian Ocean between India and
Sri Lanka. Several Hindu groups as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have opposed the project, saying it would affect a formation known as Ram Setu that is mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Environmental groups have also opposed the Sethusamudram project, saying it would destroy the fragile ecosystem of the area.
The Supreme Court has also stayed the project pending the resolution of all contentious issues.
On the influx of Tamil rebels from Sri lanka, Vice-Admiral
Contractor said, “We are closely monitoring the situation and keeping a close watch to ensure that other elements don’t slip through with the refugees”.
“’We are monitoring the situation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but it is possible that one or two (Tamil rebels) might slip through,’ he added.
