AP Govt to boost coastline security

Amaravati: The State government is concentrating on strengthening of AP coastal security by coordinating with Union government in view of growing economic activities across the coastal area. The state home department is focusing on providing infrastructure such as boats to police in this regard.

Speaking to The Hans India at Secretariat on Friday, principal secretary to home department A R Anuradha said the home department has focused its attention on coastal security and conducting timely reviews with concerned officials.

As the state has the second longest coastline among the states with a length of 974 km, the government is taking more steps to protect the coast in view of terrorist threat from the sea route and illegal infiltration by foreign fishing vessels and more importantly, the government is encouraging economic activity across the coastline.

Anuradha said they were conducting timely reviews on coastal security and focusing to provide infrastructure to police for strengthening surveillance to guard the coast. “As part of this effort, the government is providing 20 additional boats to police. Besides, Union home department has agreed to bear fuel cost of the boats,” she said.

The police department is also making efforts to sensitising fishermen who are dependable information source regarding coastal security. “In fact, fishermen are crucial information source to us to know the moments of people in the sea.

We are focusing to create awareness among them in the coastal security angle,” she said. Anuradha also said the government was giving priority to fill up vacant posts and increase the police force in view of strengthening coastline security.

World class FSL: The State government appointed Dr Rajendra Kumar Sarin as Director of Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory. The tenure of the Director, APFSL, will be for a period of two years from the date of taking charge. The government issued orders in this regard on Friday.

Rajendra Kumar will work in coordination with Dr K P C Gandhi, Advisor to Government of Andhra Pradesh and under the supervision of the Director General of Police. The government has also given permission for appointment of 10 lab assistants at AP Forensic Science Laboratory Headquarters on outsourcing basis.

The government is also giving top priority to create world class facilities in the Forensic Science Laboratory. In fact, the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Hyderabad is one of the best forensic laboratory in the state. “Our Chief Minister wants to bring the world best technology to Amaravati Forensic Science Laboratory.

In view of this, the best and sophisticated equipment will be provided to the FSL here,” Anuradha said. In view of introducing the latest technology in the FSL, the government would recruit out sourcing staff who are experts in the forensic science. As part of modernisation of police force, the Union government sanctioned the FSL to Amaravati.