Indian coastal security stepped up to prevent intrusion from SL

Following inputs that some suspicious persons, having terror links, might intrude into India from Sri Lanka via sea route, the Indian district administration and police have strengthened coastal security by constituting ‘Coastal Security Ramnad,’ a standing committee to facilitate coordinated action by pooling intelligence.

The committee was formed recently with nodal officers from various security agencies such as Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Navy, Coastal Security Group, Q Branch police, Special Branch police, district police and departments such as Fisheries and Forest as members for sharing intelligence on happenings in the sea to ensure coordinated action.

“The committee is active and working well, sharing information on whatever happened in the sea,” Superintendent of Police N.M. Mylvahanan told reporters here on Monday. The Collector and the SP were members of the committee, he said.

The team would be given night vision binoculars and a police guard post was being set up at Dhanushkodi to scale up security. Armed Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel would be posted at the post, he said.

As intruders could land on the stretch of shallow waters between Olaikuda near Rameswaram and Arichalmunai in Dhanushkodi, it had been suggested to the marine police to maintain patrolling there. The ICG and naval detachment could also introduce a permanent patrolling system on this stretch to serve as deterrence to intruders, Mr. Mylvahanan said. – The Hindu