15 speed boats, ex-servicemen to strengthen State coastal security

 
As part of the Centre’s initiative to prevent Mumbai-like attacks, the Centre has also granted the 15 interceptors (speed boats) to the State, 10 weighing 12 tonnes and five of five tonnes each.

Of them, three 12-tonne boats and two five-tonners have been received. Five of the boats were manufactured by the public sector firm, Goa shipyard Limited.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Gopal Hosur said the ex-servicemen, from Navy as well as Army, will be recruited as technical crew of the speed boats. “They will be needed for their technical expertise in the area of overhauling and maintenance of these interceptors,” Hosur added.

Recruitment process

Top officials said the process of recruitment had begun early last year, with advertisements in the media eliciting keen interest from the ex-servicemen community.

“We have five interceptors for five of our stations in the coastal area and the remaining 10 are expected to be delivered in the next six months,” a coast guard official said adding that a month-long training was imparted to the crew on handling the boats.

Currently, Karnataka has five functional Coastal Police Stations as sanctioned by the Centre. It has received a financial assistance of Rs 2.11 crore out of the proposed Rs 27.12 crore for strengthening the coasts.