The Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Home Minister N. Chinarajappa said surveillance was to be stepped up in an attempt to stop boats of Eelam Tamil asylum seekers leaving the Indian coast towards Australia.
Speaking to reporters in Andhra Pradesh, Chinarajappa said more marine police stations would be opened up to stop the Eelam Tamils, who have fled from Sri Lanka, from boarding boats along the coast in a bid to reach countries such as Australia.
Earlier this year, a group of over 150 Tamil asylum seekers were stranded at sea, after they left the South Indian coast attempting to reach Australia. After more than a month of being held at sea by Australian authorities, the group were brought to a detention centre in Western Australia before being transferred to Nauru.
See more in our earlier posts:
Australian High Court to hold special hearing over asylum seekers detention at sea (21 August 2014)
Asylum seekers transferred to Australian detention centre (27 July 2014)
157 Tamil asylum seekers to be transferred to Australia mainland (25 Jul 2014)
India agrees to investigate asylum seekers detained in Australian waters (23 Jul 2014)
Amnesty condemns detainment of Tamil asylum seekers on Australian patrol boat (23 July 2014)
Australia may have breached refugee convention by returning asylum seekers to Sri Lanka - UNHCR (16 July 2014)
Global body of academics condemn Australia's treatment of asylum seekers (14 Jul 2014)
Australia confirms intercepting second boat of asylum seekers, looks to make deportation decision on Friday (08 Jul 2014)
Asylum seekers deported by Australia face high risk of torture in Sri Lanka - Amnesty
International (08 July 2014)
Australian High Court blocks return of asylum seekers (07 Jul 2014)
Australia confirms handing over first boat to SL authorities, second boat remains unaccounted for (07 Jul 2014)
Concern grows for 153 Tamil asylum seekers at sea (29 Jun 2014)
Tamil asylum seekers stranded in Australian waters, Abbott deflects questions (27 Jun
2014)
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