Centre releases over 500 crore for coastal policing scheme

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) The Central government has sanctioned Rs 551 crore for strengthening infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance in coastal areas, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today.

Under the scheme police stations, outposts and checkposts would be set up in coastal areas. The scheme has been launched to enhance security in coastal areas, he told a conference of Chief Secretaries and Director General of Police on Internal Security and law and order.

He said the scheme has been launched as due to enhanced vigil and fencing of borders particularly in the Western sector, anti-national forces are likely to use the long Indian coastlines for their nefarious designs and activities.

Later briefing mediapersons, Home Secretary V K Duggal said that under the composite plan the fund would be utilised in increasing patrolling of shore areas, develop police stations and train policemen to stay at high sea and operate under waters.

He said 70 police stations located along 7000 KM long coastline have been identified for the purpose. He said funds have already been released and review of the implementation would be done soon.

Mr Duggal said funds have also been released to seven cities under the Mega City policing plan.

Desert police have been constituted for states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, he informed and stressed the need for strengthening of intelligence gathering mechanism and coordination for sharing them. He said that the centre has emphasised the need for strengthening intelligence at thana level to prevent a lot of problems by pre-empting violent incidents including naxal and terror attacks.

Mr Duggal said the meeting called for preparedness and modernisation of police force so that it could effectively deal with new and emerging crime like cyber crime and economic offences.

UNI AJ/SH DKS VC1903