The Kerala [Images] government on Tuesday said that it was verifying reports that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam chief Parabhakarn's wife had taken shelter in the state, following the escalation of fighting between Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan Army in the island nation.

"The government does not have any official information about the whereabouts of Prabhakaran and his family and it is looking into the reports in this regard," said State Home Minister Kodiyari Balakrishnan.

However, police stations in coastal areas have been alerted as a precautionary measure, Balakrishnan said. The government has decided to set up eight more police stations in

the coastal areas to intensify surveillance, he said.

"The new police stations would start functioning within one month", he said. These police stations would be equipped with modern gadgets and boats to carry out sea patrolling.

The movements of LTTE cadres, if any, in the state also would be monitored, he said.