Security checks: Fishermen avoid venturing into sea

The officials have ordered fishermen to carry Aadhaar cards with them as they venture into the sea for fishing.

Chennai: As part of the last leg of security arrangements for the Modi-Xi summit, the entire ECR-Kovalam-Mahabalipuram stretch has been brought under heavy security blanket. Special forces headed by 18 SPs have been deployed in the 70 fishermen villages adjoining the historic beachside town while the Navy and Coast Guard have begun exhaustive inspection of the sea routes.

The officials have ordered fishermen to carry Aadhaar cards with them as they venture into the sea for fishing.  A thorough check is also being carried out on the goods carried by ships while all passengers are being enquired by the authorities for security reasons. Additionally, a number of patrol vehicles has been deployed to monitor the sea.

It has been announced that fishing along Kovalam-Mahabalipuram stretch will be fully suspended on the three days of the summit. Most fishermen reportedly refrained from going out for fishing this week fearing police scrutiny and have docked their ships along the shores. They are expected to resume work from October 16. Security has been tightened along the coast as the police anticipate terror strikes.