Mangalore, Feb 26, 2013: V Umesh, Principal Secretary of the Home Department has urged officials of all departments to work in complete co-ordination to protect the coastal belt from external threats.
He was addressing a meeting of senior officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mangalore on February 25, Monday in the wake of the ensuing election and the recent Hyderabad blasts.
Stating that security to coastal region should always get top priority, the officer exhorted all departments including the district administration and the departments of police, fisheries and tourism to work in unison to ensure safety of the citizens.
He also exhorted the officials to take locals into confidence as it would go a long way in curbing unlawful activities including arms, drugs and human trafficking through the coast.
The Department of Tourism too should ensure that beaches are safe and should not neglect the safety aspect after handing over the maintenance of beaches to private parties, he added.
Bhasker Rao, IGP (Coastal Security Force and Internal Security) suggested some steps that could be initiated to further strengthen the Coast Guards. Ram Prasad, Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner sought appointment of technically trained staff to Coast Guards.
Deputy Commissioner N Prakash, Western Range IGP Pratap Reddy, Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar, SP Abhishek Goel, Coast Guard IGP Rajendra Singh, Commandant Saphal Singh, Fisheries Deputy Director Suresh Kumar and others were present.