KOCHI: The Kerala police on Friday launched a batch of 47 fast patrol vessels here at a colourful ceremony marked by parades of boats by various security agencies, acrobatic display of water-scooters and performances by the Naval helicopter team.
Home Minister Kodiye r i Balakrishnan, after launching the state-of-the-art patrolling boats, said the government has decided to give special focus to Kochi considering its vital status as a coastal town.
The Minister said that, of the total eight new coastal police stations, the one in Neendakara has already started functioning. The rest seven will be operational in three months.
“We have decided to equip the 76 coastal police stations with modern technology and other necessary facilities.
As a part of this mission, the first batch of 47 patrolling boats was bought,” the Minister said, and added that more patrolling boats would be bought later.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas said Kochi urgently needs a commissionerate for better policing and strengthening of the police force here.
In his keynote address, Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said post 26/11, the Central Government has decided to take special measures for coastal security.
The Mumbai attack revealed how our vulnerabilities could be exploited, he said. “The coastline of the country needs special attention. Island territories pose yet another set of challenges. Now terrorists plan and execute with alarming professionalism.
To prevent this we need multi-layered security cover,” he said.
The Vice-Admiral said the training of the first batch of Sagar Prahari Bal, the force which is being trained on asymmetric warfare, has been completed. The Navy will impart training to 50 constables and 10 officers of the state police, who are the crew members of the newlyacquired patrolling boats.
Dominic Presentation MLA presided over the function. Mayor Mercy Williams, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K Jayakumar, DGP Jacob Punnoose, Coast Guard DIG B K Loshali and Ernakulam range IG B Sandhya spoke.
The Home Minister, along with other officials, took a ride on the newly-acquired vessels.