Home Ministry reviews coastal security

With the country's 7,500 km coastline vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the Home Ministry has decided to set up a committee to go into the difficulties on account of fishing harbours within the port limits.

With the country's 7,500 km coastline vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the Home Ministry has decided to set up a committee to go into the difficulties on account of fishing harbours within the port limits.

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The committee will examine what could be done in this regard, taking into account the livelihood issues of fishermen, a Home Ministry official said on Saturday.

A high-level meeting chaired by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta also discussed the issue of some minor ports which handle bulk transport.

Since ports came under the purview of state governments, the Home Ministry has sought detailed reports about these ports. There are 12 major and 180 minor ports in the country.

The meeting was informed that a decision has been taken to provide two interceptor boats to every port in the country.

The decision to have better coordination among various agencies was taken in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks in which the terrorists took the sea route to strike at the country's commercial hub.

In order to have smooth coordination among various security agencies, the meeting decided to prepare detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for them.

Agencies like State Police, Coast Guard and customs currently do the patrolling in the water area relating to ports.

The meeting also decided to get detailed examination done of the irregular and unregulated movement of boats including fishing boats.