Pat for Tamil Nadu on coastal security measures

(September 07, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tamilnadu has set an example by forming Tamilnadu Coastal Security police stations and effectively monitoring waterways security, Vice-Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, today said. He called on Tamilnadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here today and discussed about the security of Tamil fishermen, who ventured close to the Sri Lankan waters.

Addressing mediapersons after meeting the Chief Minister, Vice Admiral Anup Singh said, ‘we had deliberations on the security of fishermen and also reviewed the coastal security in general,’

Heaping laurels on Tamilnadu for forming Tamilnadu Coastal Security police stations, the Vice Admiral said they are very effective in monitoring the security in waterways.’

The need for forming such a system was strongly felt after the recent attack on Mumbai by terrorists who landed in the city through water.

We have taken up the issue with various State governments. However Tamilnadu has set an example by forming one, he added.

Such forces would help monitor safety and security at medium and small ports. Dwelling on the issue of the safety of Tamil fishermen, he said, ‘the Chief Minister discussed in detail about the safety of the Tamil fisherfolk. Also the need to prevent Lankan counterparts from entering our waterways was spoken about’.

It may be recalled that recently the Director General of Police Letika Saran said that 30 more marine police stations have been proposed in the State for augmenting coastal security, in the second phase of the programme.

Detailed proposals for setting up the stations along with the locations identified for their establishment have been forwarded to the Union government for sanction, Letika Saran said the State had 12 marine police stations now.