The Hindu : National : ``Coastal States vulnerable''

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Wednesday, May 02, 2007
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``Coastal States vulnerable''

Staff Reporter

3-tier protection to be set up: Antony

KOLLAM: Defence Minister A.K. Antony told journalists here on Tuesday that while Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast were getting relatively peaceful due to the security operations and the rise of people against terrorism, the coastal States had become vulnerable.

"Our seas have to come under protection since they are of commercial and strategic importance to the nation. The plan is to give three-tier protection." He said this would comprise the Navy, the Coast Guard and the coastal police, to be set up by the States.The Centre was prepared to adequately fund the setting up of the coastal police and provide training to the personnel by the Coast Guard. Six coastal police stations would be opened in Kerala and 12 in Tamil Nadu.

Referring to the fishing vessel that went missing with 14 persons on board near Rameswaram in early March, Mr. Antony said intensified search operations were launched by the Coast Guard and the Navy. But no clues could be obtained. The vessel sailed from the Shakthikulangara harbour here and was due to return after 11 days of fishing. Twelve of those on board hailed from Colachel in Tamil Nadu, one was from Tuticorin and one from Ernakulam.

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