Govt to step up intelligence gathering in coastal belt

Belthangady, October 23: The state government has decided to step up intelligence gathering in coastal belt and improve security in the region, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashoka said on Monday.

As a first step, the State government has decided to sanction Rs 30,000 to each Coastal Security Police (CSP) Stations, he said while speaking to media persons after inaugurating the new police station building at Punjalakatte in Belthangady taluk. He said that the grant will be sanctioned to each of the seven CSP Stations, to help the police in intelligence gathering.

“The government is concentrating on preventing the terrorists, smugglers and other anti-national forces entering the State using sea. Hence, the CSP is keeping a vigil on the movements in the coastal belt, by taking fishermen into confidence. The CSP which monitors the 300 km coast has been provided with modern weapons and the sophisticated boats by the Central Government,” he said.

Briefing about the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force, which would start functioning in a month's time, he said the KSISF intends to provide security to dams, atomic power stations and IT companies.

“Apart from providing security to the government-run organisations, the KSISF will also provide security to the private organisations like IT companies. At present, the IT companies are dependent on the Central Industrial Security Force for security purposes. Henceforth, they can utilise the service of the KSISF by paying an amount to the government,” the Minister stated.

In response to a query on the government's action against Maoists, he said the militants have ignored the recent government's recent offer for surrender.

“Ours is a civil society and they (Maoists) belong to our State. Therefore, we wanted to give them a chance to join the mainstream by surrendering. With it, the combing activities will intensify to capture them. We will concentrate on preventing the entry of Maoists from Tamil Nadu and other States.”

Ashoka inaugurated the newly constructed two police station buildings at Punjalakatte and Bantwal. Punjalakatte police station has been built at a cost of Rs 55 lakh and Bantwal stations has been built by spending Rs 65 lakh.