NEW DELHI, May 31 (UPI) -- The increase of Sri Lanka refugees is not seen as a threat in southern Tamil Nadu nor a possible increase in LTTE infiltration by India.
The Telegraph newspaper said Wednesday a refugee exodus from Sri Lanka in the early 1990s had boosted the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's infiltration of Tamiil Nadu in the run-up to Rajiv Gandhi assassination on May 21,1991.
"It is no longer possible to replicate that sort of a situation now, for even the refugees are not quite bothered about the LTTE, said an official of Tamil Nadu government.
"It is true that the Tamil Tigers are stepping up naval activity, looking to seize control of the seas off their strongholds in northern and eastern Sri Lanka," the Indian coast guard said.
It said they (rebels) want to deal a blow to the Sri Lankan forces, but more than anything, its strategy to improve their bargaining position at the negotiating table in the Norway-brokered peace process.
A news report said with Delhi neutral on the issue now and international pressure mounting on both sides to find a peaceful solution the Tamil refugee problem should not balloon as in the past, though it does create some stress for India.
The Indian navy and coast guards have stepped up surveillance of the Palk Bay. There has been no intrusion by Lankan rebels into Indian waters so far; the coast guard said adding anti social and pro-LTTE elements could use this opportunity to step up smuggling and piracy. "The coast guard recently seized four Lankan boats that had intruded into Indian waters, "it said.
