Sea sports banned ahead of Modi-Xi visit

“Due to risk factors involved, sea sports will not be permitted on the particular stretch,” a senior police officer from the Coastal Security Wing said on Monday. The visiting dignitaries are expected to stay in a hotel in Kovalam and visit Mahabalipuram during their two-day visit.

Though netizens were crying foul over the decision to ban surfing on the beach 15 days prior to the visit of the VVIPs, the police noted that many of the surfing centres, except three, were functioning illegally.

“We are not intervening with fishermen and their activities. However, we cannot take risk of allowing unknown people surfing in the sea when a meet of global leaders is scheduled in two weeks’ time in the locality,” an officer noted.

The two leaders are expected to fly from Chennai airport to Thiruvidanthai village where a helipad is built. They will then go to Fisherman’s Cove by car on the evening of October 11. The two leaders are expected to fly out on October 13.

Apart from visiting the historical sculptures at Mahabalipuram, they are also expected to meetduring their stay at the hotel as well.

Security in the locality would be tightened further during October, added the sources.