Kollam: The Kerala coast is on high alert following intelligence warning that refugees fleeing the economic crisis-hit Sri Lanka might sneak into the country by sea.
The state has also been warned that operatives of extremist outfits, too, might take the sea route to Kerala.
Following intelligence, the Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police and Fisheries Department have intensified patrolling the sea along the 583-kilometre Kerala coast.
Shadow police have been deployed to monitor vessels docking at fishing harbours and fish-landing centres. Inspector-general of Coastal Police P Vijayan said boats would be inspected, if required.
The State has also alerted Harbour Protection Committees comprising fishermen and boat owners. The entire coastal area has been divided into 523 'blue beats' under senior police officers. They would be assisted by 170 coastal wardens, recruited from families of fishermen.
Intelligence sharing meetings would be held every Saturday in the State's 18 coastal police stations. The meetings would share confidential intelligence between the agencies involved.
Representatives of the Navy, Coast Guard, Fisheries, Coastal Police, and other intelligence agencies would attend the meetings.
Districts bordering Tamil Nadu, too, have been alerted, considering the possibility of Sri Lanka refugees coming into Kerala by road. At least two batches of refugees from the island nation have already arrived in Tamil Nadu through illegal means.
Sri Lanka has been bogged down by an enormous debt load. The worst-ever economic crisis has disrupted normal life across that country.
