Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu Police has stepped up patrolling along the state's coastal line to prevent the entry of Sri Lankan militants in the guise of refugees following fresh fighting between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said on Friday.

Moving the demand for grants for police, excise and fire services in the state assembly, he said stringent action had been taken against smugglers who attempted to transport explosives, iron balls, pellets, medicines and other commodities to Sri Lanka and police had ensured that the smuggling activites had been completely contained.

As many as 36 people, including 15 Sri Lankan Tamils, had been detained under the NSA in the first three months of this year for indulging in smuggling, he said.

Over 21,000 people had arrived in the country from Sri Lanka from January to March this year as refugees following fresh violence in the island republic and 73,087 Sri Lankan Tamils had been accommodated in 117 camps located in 25 districts of the state, Karunanidhi said.