Indian Navy to curb Terrorism from Lakshadweep

Navy marches into Lakshadweep

Source:www.newindpress.com

KOCHI: With terrorist activities fast spreading to the south, Indian Navy has decided to strengthen its operations on the Lakshadweep islands.

The Naval operations are now concentrated at Kavarati in the Lakshadweep islands with a Naval officer appointed for the purpose.

Earlier, Lakshadweep islands were monitored by the Navy in Kochi and officers coordinated the activities from Venduruthy.

“The need for appointing a Naval officer at Lakshadweep arose following the possibility of terrorist activities in the Muslim-dominated islands. When the operations were controlled from Kochi, Navy wasn’t aware of the ground realities as entry to the islands was easy through the waters,” sources said.

Navy has also submitted a proposal to the Union Government seeking permission for their physical presence in one of the uninhabited islands. At present, a 36-member group including the Naval officer-in-charge is functioning at Lakshadweep.

The Navy has intensified patrolling on the islands. The officers visit the islands frequently to ensure that there is no infiltration through the waters.

Security continues to be a grave concern in southern states as there are continued attempts by terrorists to infiltrate through the coastal region.

The recent arrests of ISI operatives and the recovery of large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives in the southern states add credence to these fears.

Majority of Muslim youths involved in fundamentalist activities are either uneducated; unemployed or living in poor conditions.

Though the Lakshadweep administration is spending crores of rupees for the upliftment of the islanders, there are possibilities of the youth falling prey to the fundamental outfits when more money flows from the mainland.