Antony reiterates demand for vigil along coastline

Courtesy:www.dailypioneer.com

Kochi:Claiming that maritime terrorism posed a major threat to the country, Defence Minister AK Antony reiterated his call for increased vigilance over the allegedly porous coastline and called for enhanced cooperation between the Centre and States for increasing survelliance along India’s lengthy coastline

Following the sealing of land borders, terrorists were now more likely to use the sea route to infiltrate, he said.

Today’s maritime challenges were far more demanding than they had been in the past. Security related challenges and threats in future would stem not only from land, but increasingly from the sea, the Defence Minister said.

Maritime terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy were thus the major threats emanating from the sea, he said.

“States cannot face such threats on their own and greater Centre-State cooperation is needed in this regard to successfully meet these challenges,” Antony said. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard must work in close coordination to meet the threats arising from the sea.

Hoping that Kerala would take the lead in keeping the coastal regions free from any illegal activity, he said all State Governments had a special duty to prevent illegal activities along their coasts.

The Centre was also helping the States in establishing coastal police stations and in strengthening the physical and human infrastructure along the coasts, including laying down underwater cables, upgrading the communication network and increased patrolling, he said.