o bolster the surveillance network along the Kerala coastline, the Coastal police will soon float a dedicated intelligence wing that will work in tandem with the Kadalora Jagratha Samithies.
“At present, the 74 KJS units comprising seafaring fishermen serve as the eyes and ears for the Coastal police, which are definitely not sufficient to meet the potential threats from outer sea. Hence, we are floating this wing, along with additional units of KJS,’’ said S. Surendran, Assistant Inspector General, Coastal Security, Kerala Police.
In addition, a scuba diving team comprising 30 divers will soon be inducted into service for emergency rescue operations.
To train and develop manpower for the force, a Marine police training centre will soon be opened at the Kerala Police Academy in Thrissur, in addition to a Marine police battalion in Kannur. The Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation has been entrusted with the task of preparing an estimate for constructing the new block in Thrissur and 25 acres has been identified for setting up the battalion.
As part of its second phase of expansion, 10 coastal police stations, in addition to the existing eight, will soon be commissioned. Of this, the department has completed the works on seven stations while land acquisition for setting up the remaining stations is under way. Apart from this, an additional station will be coming up at Valiyazheekal, near the National Thermal Power Corporation in Kayamkulam. The government has to accord sanction for an additional lot of 710 personnel to man the upcoming stations and the 20-odd patrol boats allocated to them. The police have identified about 204 landing points where security has to be enhanced.
