More security for coastal areas, assures Antony

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“More security arrangements will be in place along the Indian coast to beef up the protection for our vessels and fishermen,” defence minister A.K. Antony said.

Earlier the concept of boundary protection was solely aimed at the northern region, but now the situation had changed, and we would have to give equal importance to our coastal sectors also, the minister said.
The threat from Somalian pirates was increasing.

Even though 18 countries had tried to suppress them, the efforts didn't help. They had been seen twice around Lakshadweep islands and the information was passed on to the officials by the fisherfolk, he said.

Antony visits Jelestine's family

A.K. Antony visited the family of Jelestine who was shot dead by the Italian marines on Feb. 15. He promised that necessary compensation would be given to the families of the two fishermen who died in the firing. He conveyed his condolence to Dora, wife of Jelestine, and two sons, Jean and Derick.

Italian experts visit boat

An Italian team including the two ballistic experts visited the fishing boat St. Antony in Kollam on Sunday afternoon.

Two fishermen on St Antony were fired by the marines on February 15.

Jelestine, a native of Kollam, was one of the two fishermen who were killed in the firing.

The Italian team took photographs of the points on the boat where bullets had pierced.

The Italian team was accompanied by officers of the Special Investigating Team (SIT), Sam Christie Daniel, SP, and additional commissioner of police J. Jacob