Kerala, a new LTTE base


by Srinjoy Chowdhury

(December, 05, Kerala, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Centre's worst fears have come true - the LTTE has spread its wings to India. LTTE Chief V Prabhakaran has sprung another surprise shifting the banned outfit's operations to the Kerala coast.

Instead of depending on Tamil Nadu for logistic support, his fighters are now zeroing in on the less-patrolled Kerala coast.

Reliable has learnt that attempts are being made to use Kerala for smuggling arms, ammunition and even drugs. Isolated points along the the lengthy Malabar coast are also being used as a landing point for RDX.

Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have long been paying the price of LTTE's bloody mission in their state, and now with the shift of operations to the neighbouring state, it won't be long before Kerala's waters become the LTTE's playground.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is arguably the world's most feared terror group. Known for their ingenuity, they were the first to introduce the concept of the suicide bomber.

Also, LTTE is the first terror group to have an airforce.

Defence authorities admit it's time for urgent action. "It is standard tactic that you keep moving into waters which have not been tested earlier. So to that extent, if they have started operating off the coast of Kerala, a certain amount of patrolling will need to be enhanced over there," says Admiral Suresh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff.

The Indian Navy claims it has already raised the alert level along Kerala's coast. To ensure that the LTTE does not establish strong links in Kerala the Navy will have to be extraordinarily careful and patrol the coastal areas extensively for a while.