Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Marine policing to become a reality

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, SEPT. 27. Policemen in blue uniform may become a reality to keep a tab on illegal immigration, smuggling and subversive activities at vulnerable points all along the coast in the State.

Threat perceptions

The proposal, which was put on the backburner during the Telugu Desam Party regime, is now under consideration by the top echelons of the police administration after the installation of the Congress Government. Apart from threat perceptions, pressure from top police officers has brought again to the centre-stage the proposal to set up marine police stations to assist the Coast Guard which generally keeps a watch on the high seas.

Need of the hour

``At present, there is a vacuum in policing in the area within three nautical miles of the sea coast. Hence, the establishment of a specially-trained marine police to man police stations at strategic locations like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Nellore and other places has become the need of the hour,'' a senior police officer told The Hindu on Monday.

For instance, the marine police station based in Visakhapatnam can also take up patrolling at Rushikonda, Yarada and Bhimunipatnam -- considered important hubs for fishing activity. Though there is no threat of foreign militants' infiltration in most coastal areas in the State, the threat persists in places like Nellore and Tada due to their close proximity to Tamil Nadu. Officials feel that there is scope in these areas for illegal entry of militants belonging to the outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from strife-torn Sri Lanka. The sources say that the marine police with special training in diving would be armed with steam boats for undertaking patrolling in the seas.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Mad scramble for a `treat'
Pharma City-displaced seek house-sites
Marine policing to become a reality
Free zoo entry for children from Oct. 1
Star cricket match for a cause
`Tribals at the receiving end'
World Tourism Day celebrated
European Commission official's visit
No power supply
Around the City
In Visakhapatnam Today
Confusion over flying visit

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu