State to have coastal police stations soon

The decision was arrived at in the wake of the Centre government directing the State to develop a strong coastal guard system at the recently-convened meeting of chief ministers on internal security, in New Delhi.

Home Minister R Ashoka on Tuesday told reporters that the Centre directed the State to set up coastal police stations across the State’s coastal line as a measure to combat terrorism. Terrorists who attacked Mumbai in 2008 chose the sea-route to reach the city. To avert such incidents in the future, the coastal guard system needs to be strengthened.

At the convention, chief ministers of many states including Karnataka, Bihar and Gujarat demanded that the Centre free the state governments from seeking UPSC clearance in appointing DG&IGPs.

The minister said the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had assured that the Centre would fulfill the demand and would file an affidavit in the court. Moreover, the State had also demanded that the Centre increase funds from Rs 80 crore to Rs 180 crore annually towards modernisation of police department.