Udupi: K J George inaugurates coastal police station, promises to strengthen force

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 13: State home minister, K J George, informed that the state government has been striving to reform and strengthen the police department. “We plan to open 35 new police stations soon, and set up nine new police stations for the Coastal Security Police Force. Steps have been taken to recruit about 8,500 police personnel, and out of the vacancies meant for constables, 20 percent would be earmarked for women candidates,” he explained.

The minister was speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed building of Coastal Security Police Force at Hejamady near Padubidri in the district on Wednesday February 12. The building measuring 3,701 sft has been built at a cost of Rs 46 lac.

The function was presided over by the district in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake. In his address, he said that this police station would be able to provide total protection to fishermen within a radius of 12 nautical miles. Sorake also added that the state government will request the central government to extend relaxations in Coastal Regulatory Zone rules for the state on the lines of Kerala and Goa.

Minister for youth services, sports and fisheries, Abhaychandra Jain, who was the chief guest, promised that work on fishing ports at Hejamady and Kulai involving an investment of Rs 100 crore and Rs 150 crore respectively will begin this year. He said that the representatives of the government will soon meet union agricultural minister, Sharad Pawar and union minister for environment Veerappa Moily to obtain their nod for these projects.

Hejamady gram panchayat president, Vaman Kotian, zilla panchayat member, Geetanjali Suvarni, taluk panchayat member, Sachin Nayak, inspector general of police (law and order), M N Reddy, western range inspector general of police, C H Pratapchandra Reddy, IGP (anti naxal force), Seemantkumar Singh, district deputy commissioner, Dr M T Reju, district superintendent of police, Dr Boralingaiah, and several other leaders were present.

District superintendent of police for Coastal Protection Police Force, H R Mahadevaiah, welcomed. Diwakar Hejmady presented the programme. Deputy superintendent of Coastal Security Police Force, Manjunath Shetty, proposed vote of thanks.

During the visit, the home minister also inaugurated water adventure sports at Mannapalla tank at Manipal, 400 metres synthetic track laid at the district stadium at Ajjarkad, and sports hostel. He exhorted young athletes to make use of the synthetic track to enhance their skills.He also announced a grant of one crore rupees for further development of Mannapalla.

Youth services, sports, and fisheries minister, K Abhaychandra Jain, also requested the upcoming athletes to make proper use of the synthetic track to improve their performance. He said that the wooden flooring at the badminton court in the indoor sports stadium at Udupi, which cracked within six months of erection because of substandard work, will be repaired at a cost of Rs 42 lac through fresh tendering.

MLA, Pramod Madhwaraj, minister, Vinayakumar Sorake, zilla panchayat president, Upendra Nayak, municipal president, Yuvaraj P, and several others participated.