Soon, armed guards on merchant ships?

New Delhi: In the wake of recent spate in pirate attack, the government may soon allow armed guards onboard the merchant vessels.

The Shipping Authorities have prepared a draft notification to permit armed personnel on board merchant vessels.

The notification is expected to be finalised in a fortnight or so and government may allow 4 to 6 armed guards on the vessels.

This is a major deviation from India's stand in the past to not allow armed guards on merchant vessels.