Andhra Pradesh has taken initiative in providing coastal security after the 26/11 attack and is the first among the nine coastal States to make fully functional the 21 coastal police stations on its coast, DIG of Marine Police D. Kavita Naik said here on Tuesday.
The country woke up to the need to secure its coast after the Mumbai attacks and when it was conceived, the plan was started from beginning and now improved training and other aspects were being taken care of, Ms. Kavita Naik said while addressing the valedictory of a 11-day short-term training programme for home guards of coastal police conducted by the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET).
One-hundred-and-forty-eight home guards of marine police belonging to the fishermen community from the 21 marine police stations of the State were picked up for training and 26 of them received training in navigation, mechanical and other aspects. They would assist the marine police constables on the marine police boats.
The home guards from the fishermen community were chosen for the training programme since they have the innate ability and comfort in handling the boats.
Ms. Kavita Naik said that an MoU would be singed between the marine police of AP and the CIFNET to provide training for a batch of officers.
Practical training
Deputy Director of CIFNET A.K. Choudhary said that the stress was on providing more practical training to home guards and the vessel staff and faculty of CIFNET created best programmes for the trainees. Senior scientist of CIFT U. Sreedhar assured all help to the marine police.
Additional SP of marine police R.S.R.K. Raju, Deputy SPs K.V.R.K. Prasad and Barla Prasad and Inspectors G. Durga Prasad and M. Avataram, CIFNET’s senior instructors Hrusikesh Bisoyi, B.S. Rangari and M. Ranga Raju and Administrative Officer Prasanna B. Singh participated.
Two trainees -- K. Ramu and Ch. Appal Rao -- while sharing their experiences said they had received the best training. Training in navigation, details about machines and their repairs and other areas were fruitful. This was the best training programme they received so far and the home guards were grateful to IG of marine police Srinivasa Reddy for picking up those from fishermen community for training, they said. Special appreciation awards were given to K. Nagaraju (first in academics), M. Jogeswara Rao (second); A. Ramu (best in onboard practices); M. Nookayya (best in engine practicals); A. Ramesh (best in demonstration) and P. Janakiram (best in sports).
