ஈழ விடுதலைப் போரை கருவறுக்கும் இந்திய மத்திய மாநில அரசுகள்

Indian Security sources prove LTTE smuggle-in
arms through Tamil Nadu coast
Monday, 16 April 2007

LTTE using refugees as readily available couriers Indian Security sources re-ensure that by
through a well-organized mechanism the LTTE have been constantly smuggling in fuel,
medicines and calipers, components for making explosives to Sri Lanka clandestinely by boats
from several "landing points" along the Ramanathapuram coast in Tamil Nadu, news
reports from India state. The seizure of explosives in recent months seems to be just the
tip of the iceberg, the Indian daily The Hindu states.

As was evident in recent seizures, the smugglers seem to have in place a well-oiled mechanism
for transport of consignments, the reports state further. Loads of ball bearings and aluminum
ingots meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka were found in different parts of India. As was evident in recent seizures, the smugglers seem to have in place a well-oiled mechanism
for transport of consignments, the reports state further. Loads of ball bearings and aluminum
ingots meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka were found in different parts of India. However it is recorded that it is not only through the smuggling scams that the LTTE are expanding their terror net in Indian land but also by arriving in South Indian coast using their high-speed boats and its cadres which are capable of reaching the Indian coast in a short time. This development can be seen as a security threat to the South Indian states. According to Indian Security personnel, mechanized high speed fiber glass boats owned by illegal operators, is the mostly used method for smuggling. "Country boats registered with the Fisheries Department are used only occasionally; the smugglers find them ill-equipped to carry heavy consignments. The
‘couriers’ and ‘crew members’ are either fishermen or refugees who are already staying in
the southern districts," The Hindu reports.The Hindu further reports that intelligence agencies suspect that most of the smuggling is either for the LTTE or with its assistance for onward transshipment to western countries.further reports that intelligence agencies suspect
that most of the smuggling is either for the LTTE or with its assistance for onward transshipment to western countries.Since January 2006 about 18,600 Tamil
refugees have arrived at Rameswaram. Of them, more than a hundred were sent to special camps because of the suspicion that they could have links with the LTTE, The Hindu states quoting a `Q' Branch police officer. Clandestine boat operators of Sri Lanka drop refugees on islets near the Tamil Nadu mainland and return with "consignments" delivered by boats from the Indian side. While some goods reach destinations in LTTE-dominated areas, others, mainly drugs, are handed over to agents in mid-sea for loading on to foreign ships. Many smugglers communicate through satellite phones, a Coastal Security Group official have pointed out, the Indian reports said.

As these news reports state, certain landing points near Tuticorin and Kodiakarai along the
1,076-km-long coastline of Tamil Nadu are seen as safe havens for smugglers transporting
medicines and callipers. According to the Indian Security Agencies, this safe heaven in the sea
provides them the opportunity to smuggle anything that could aid a war effort such as medicines, fuel, arms, ammunition and components for making explosives.

Sri Lankan Tamil refugees camping in and around Ramanathapuram district are often
considered "readily available couriers" for smugglers as they have good contacts in both
countries, the news reports further points out.

Indian Coast Guard seizes ‘Maria’, six Lankan Tamils
Apr 16 (ANN)
Six Sri Lankans apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard, off Tamil Nadu coast last Wednesday (April 11), are believed to be cadres from the LTTE involved in the recent attack on a multi-day fishing trawler launched from Kanyakumari. Unidentified persons, travelling in two vessels, attacked the craft about 35 nautical miles southeast of Kanyakumari killing five fishermen on March 29.

3 LTTE cadres sent to Chengalpattu special camp
April16-Hundu
Three suspected cadres of the LTTE to a special camp in Chengalpattu in Kancheepuram district. Acting on a tip-off, `Q' branch sleuths recently secured three Sri Lankans — Deva Jothiswaran (28), Justin Raj (20) of Jaffna and Suganthan (27) of Mannar from the Mandapam refugee camps. They had been staying under the guise of refugees.