Article Posted on : - Feb 25, 2010

A File Photo.

CHENNAI (PTI): A comprehensive Maritime Security Framework to counter all aspects of threats, involving multi-agency coordination and cooperation, is the need of the hour and being worked on, a top Naval official said.

Such a framework is necessary to check all aspects of threats (terrorism, gun runners, human traffickers, pirates and hijackers), Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Commandant, Naval Academy, Ezhimala, said.

This is not a small task, since agencies such as Ministries of Defence, Home, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways and Petroleum and Natural Gas are involved, he said.

Approximately 200 coastal police stations, 100 police check posts and 58 outposts are to be established in phases.

"Many of these have been made operational," he said, adding nine additional coast guard stations were also planned to be set up.

Stating that the need to augment manpower to meet the Coastal Security charter has been accepted by the Centre, he said "accordingly, the formation of a Sagar Prahari Bal comprising 1000 men (61 officers and 939 sailors) to be inducted in three phases for force protection duties for Indian Navy has been approved".

The process of setting up 45 static coastal radar stations should be expeditiously taken up, he said at a national seminar on coastal security -- 'Coast WATCH 2010' here.

The seminar was organised by National Maritime Foundation and Department of Defence and Strategic studies, University of Madras in association with Navy Foundation.