Talking to reporters at the "Fifth island" near the International Maritime Boundary Line, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Coastguard Station at Mandapam, Commander K Janarthanan said: "how can we prevent them from planting mines, when they have got every right to make their country secure in whatever way they desire".

He said the Sri Lankan officials had informed the Indian side about the mines so that fishermen could be careful.

Their objective was to prevent the movement of LTTE in and around Delft island, which was 12 nautical miles away from the IMBL, he said.

He also ruled out the possibility of the mines drifting into the Indian territory as they had been placed very far from the IMBL. Besides, the area where the mines had been planted were in the 'High Security Area', where fishermen were not allowed.

"If the fishermen went into the war zone and got killed in the cross-fire or by mines, it is also a cause of worry", he said.

Later speaking in Kochi, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said his government would take a "suitable" decision based on outcome of the inquiry into the deal.

Various opinions were being expressed on the deal without understanding the facts. The government had ordered for an inquiry into the deal and once the report was submitted, everyone would understand the facts, he told mediapersons on the sidelines of the international Aqua Show 2008, here.

To a query on LDF ally, CPI asking the government to ensure that the land alloted for industrial purpose was not used for other purpose, he said political parites have freedom to air their opinion at their party meetings and CPI had only exericised that.

If the opinion of the ally was different from that of the government, it would be discussed and a decision will be arrived on a 'common spirit'.