Additional Director General of Police, Coastal Security Group (SCG), K. Vanniya Perumal on Thursday reviewed security after Marine police of SCG, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy took additional measures in the aftermath of the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka.
Soon after the blasts, which claimed more than 350 lives in the island nation, the security agencies stepped up patrolling in coastal areas and in the sea to look for and prevent any infiltration from Sri Lanka via sea route. The agencies, especially the marine police, kept close watch at possible landing points in the district.
Mr. Perumal, who reviewed the security arrangements at the Marine police station in Danushkodi, said he was fully satisfied with the arrangements. Security had been tightened in the entire coastal regions of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts and no case of infiltration was reported in the last four days.
There was coordinated action among the Marine police, ICG, navy, district police and other agencies and there was no cause for any alarm. The intelligence network also functioned well and provided useful tip-offs. The intelligence inputs were being shared with other security agencies.
Although fisher folk living in coastal areas alerted the security agencies on suspicious movements of ‘outsiders’, there was lack of awareness on the toll free number — 1093. Alerts through the toll free number would help the security agencies to reach the spot immediately and detain suspected elements, he said.
Asked about marine police hiring fishing vessels for patrolling, Mr. Perumal said the government had sanctioned ₹3.5 crore for repairing marine police boats and another ₹4.5 crore for buying new high speed boats. Nine jetties, each at a cost of ₹15 lakh, were being built for the marine police to berth and maintain the vessels.