Sethusamudram poses a security threat: Coast Guard Chief

NEW DELHI: Adding another twist to the Sethusamudram controversy, Director General of the Coast Guard on Thursday said that the project poses a security threat to the country.

Vice Admiral RF Cotractor said that there is a strong possibility of the canal being used by militants.

Without mentioning the LTTE directly, Contractor said that the narrow canal would put the ships moving through it at a greater risk of attack by terrorists active in the region.

He also confirmed that he has already conveyed his views about the project to government.

Earlier, Naval chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta's had said that the Sethusamudram project would be useful only for small ships.

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Who is Vice-Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor?

Vice-Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor took over as the Director General (DG) of Coast Guard in September 2006. A specialist in navigation and direction, he has held important operational and staff appointments both afloat and ashore. He has held the rare distinction of commanding INS Rajput, INS Ranvijay and the aircraft carrier, INS Virat.

Vice Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 July 1971. He is an alumnus of the College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and the Royal College of Defence Studies at London, UK. For exceptional devotion to duty, in keeping with the highest traditions of the service, Vice Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor was awarded the ‘NAO SENA MEDAL (DEVOTION TO DUTY)” in 2002. Once again for distinguished service of an exceptional order as the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Information Warfare and Operations) at the Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, he was awarded the ‘ATI VISHIST SEVA MEDAL (AVSM)” in 2005 by the President of India. (Link)

In short, when the Vice Admiral speaks, the likes of Baalu-s, Manmohan-s, Ambika Soni-s etc. in the world, should shut up and listen.

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A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal gave the Centre the time limit after Additional Solicitor General R Mohan sought extension for filing an affidavit.

The apex court directed the Government to file two separate affidavits, one on the alignment of the project and other giving details of the studies that have been undertaken to ascertain whether Ram Setu is an ancient monument.

The affidavits are to be filed by the first week of March.

The Supreme court had already directed the authorities not to damage the Setu in any manner while carrying out dredging activities.