The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : More marine police stations on the cards

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Monday, Oct 27, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

More marine police stations on the cards

Staff Reporter

Kakinada: The State Government has a proposal for setting up three marine police stations in West Godavari, Vizianagaram and Prakasam districts in addition to existing ones at Kalingapatnam (Srikakulam), Rushikonda (Visakhapatnam), Vakalapudi (East Godavari), Gilakaladindi (Krishna), Suryalanka (Guntur) and Durgarajapatnam (Nellore).

Each one of these stations will be provided two speed boats and sufficient number of police personnel to tackle the unlawful activities, said Home Minister K. Jana Reddy.

Speaking to media persons after inaugurating the marine police station (MPS) building at Vakalapudi near here on Sunday, Mr. Jana Reddy said that these stations would be working in coordination with the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and Fisheries Departments to check anti-national activities and also extend their services during natural calamities.

The police personnel would be equipped with modern weapons and trained in warding off threats at sea.

Recruitment drive

Responding to queries, Mr. Jana Reddy said keeping in view the importance of the Police Department for maintenance of law and order, a massive recruitment drive was taken up to augment their strength. A total of 37,000 police personnel were in the process of recruitment. Results of the first phase of selection tests would be declared in about 10 days. East Godavari district would get 800 to 1,000 additional policemen and women and Kakinada town 100 more.

Rising need

The Home Minister further said that the Government has formally cleared the proposals for development of urban districts/commissionerates at Rajahmundry, Warangal, Tirupati and Guntur to meet the rising need of policing in cities. New police training colleges were in the offing at Rajahmundry and Anantapur. The modalities of funding these new entities were being worked out by the Finance Ministry.

Mr. Reddy claimed that the law and order situation was peaceful barring isolated incidents like Maoist attacks, due to successful handling of various agitations by the police.

When asked to comment on Telangana statehood issue, Mr. Jana Reddy said that the Congress was thoroughly debating it because the sentiment was strong.

The party high command was seized of the matter but it could not be expected to come out with a decision without carefully pondering over the consequences.

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