ICG security to Indian pilgrims

Rameswaram

The Mandapam station of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) deployed two ships, two hovercrafts and a Dornier aircraft, providing security to the Indian pilgrims who undertook pilgrimage to the Katchatheevu islet to celebrate the St. Antony’s Church Festival on Friday and returned on Saturday.

A release from the ICG said that the ICG deployed search and rescue teams, medical coverage and aerial surveillance when the 1,920 pilgrims sailed to the islet from the fishing jetty here on Friday and returned to the jetty on Saturday afternoon.

The ICG ships escorted the pilgrims up to the International Boundary Line (IMBL) near Katchatheevu and handed over them to the Sri Lankan Navy, the release said. On return, they received the pilgrims at the IMBL and escorted them back to the fishing jetty here, it said.

While the ICG personnel, including search and rescue and medical teams, escorted the fishermen in the ships and hovercrafts, the Dornier conducted aerial surveillance, the release said.

“All the fishing boats with pilgrims were escorted back to Rameswaram fishing jetty safely on Saturday and no untoward incident reported,” the release added.