Navy chief meets CM

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday assured co-operation of  all government departments concerned for the efforts taken by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) to ensure coastal security.

Chandy gave the assurance to SNC Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni who called on him on Tuesday.  Soni told the Chief Minister that the Navy was not getting enough co-operation for its mass campaign on coastal security from the State Government departments.

The Chief Minister said that the Jana Maithri community policing system could be utilised for the purpose. He also promised to take up the issue with the Fisheries and other departments. The presence of the LNG terminal and BPCL has made Kochi a likely target for subversive forces and this has to be countered, Soni said.

Currently, boats have been banned within a kilometres of these installations. The security can be made more effective if it is expanded to four km, he said. Chandy said a decision cannot be taken on this issue unilaterally. He also promised one acre of land for the SNC in Ernakulam for a housing project for sailors. Another 40 cents will be sanctioned in Muvattupuzha for a facility for retired Navy personnel.

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The New Indian Express
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