Karnataka   

Coastal security force to be set up in Karnataka soon

Jaideep Shenoy

Five police stations will be set up under the force, says Sial

MANGALORE: With Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil showing keen interest in augmenting infrastructure pertaining to security in coastal areas, a Coastal Security Force in Karnataka will become operational soon, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Bhupendra Singh Sial said here on Tuesday.

In an informal chat with The Hindu , Mr. Sial said the Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned five police stations for the force as against six sought. "While the Ministry will give us some material and manpower, we will provide some. The Centre will give us equipment,'' he noted.

He said the force will need boats and small ships. The Coast Guard will find out the feasibility and requirement.

"Equipment will be purchased through the Coast Guard and provided to the force,'' he added.

"The Coast Guard is for the high seas. Their ships can't enter shallow coastal waters. It is here that the boats of the force will be effective,'' he noted.

The Union Home Ministry has, in principle, agreed to meet the requirements of the force, Mr. Sial said. "As soon as the Union Government's approval comes, the force will become operational through five police stations. The staffing pattern for the force at all levels has been carefully worked out,'' he added.

``We have discussed the issue with K.P. Singh, Special Home Secretary, who is from our cadre. He has accepted our proposals (on the requirements of the force). We have also sent them to the Centre and it is under consideration. Mr. Patil is keen to sanction our requirements, for this is something which is needed by all coastal States,'' he pointed. Clarifying the role of the force, Mr. Sial said: "They are not supposed to be a strike force. It is the Coast Guard which takes care of coastal security. The force has to develop its own intelligence machinery, which is not by numbers but by quality. They have to develop their network,'' he said.

Rewards soon

Nearly 700 personnel who were on the rolls of the Special Task Force set up to nab the brigand Veerappan will receive their cash awards, Mr. Sial said.

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