Madurai: The Tamil Nadu police has stepped up vigil in the coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district near here following reports that some doctors may be taken to Sri Lanka to treat Tamil Tigers injured in the ongoing fight with the government forces there.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the 'Q-Branch' of Tamil Nadu police were closely monitoring the sea coast and a special patrolling drive had been initiated, official sources said here on Friday.

Some of the private hospitals in the southern districts were also being monitored, they said.

The officials, however, said so far no injured person has come from Sri Lanka even in the guise of refugees.

Meanwhile, four persons who were arrested for smuggling explosives at Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district a few weeks back, have been detained under the National Security Act and lodged in Madurai Prison.

Nethaji, Nakulam, Suresh and Danistan were charged with smuggling pottasium nitrate and sulphur. (The Hindu)