The Hindu
- Meetings with citizens on combating naxalism to be held
- ‘Additional monetary incentives may be given to regular police operating in naxal-infested areas’
- Work on three of the five coastal police stations completed
Mangalore, Aug 28: The police in the Western Range are expected to work more closely with the people to gain intelligence on naxal activities in the region.
A direction to this effect came from the Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) A.R. Infant at a meeting of top police officials from the range that includes Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Chikmagalur districts.
Speaking to presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Infant said that regular meetings would be held with citizens to discuss steps to combat naxalism. The police beat system should be improved, he said. A similar communiqué had been circulated by Director-General and Inspector-General of Police R. Srikumar.
Mr. Infant admitted that the Anti-Naxal Force needed to be strengthened.
He said that the State Government would release funds for it. Providing additional monetary incentives to regular police personnel who operated in naxal-infested areas was also under study, he said.
Mr. Infant expressed concern over incidents taking a communal colour in the region. He directed police officers to tighten security ahead of Moharrum and Ganesh Chaturthi
On the delay in operationalising coastal security police in the region, Mr. Infant pointed out that the Goa-based boat manufacturers commissioned for the purpose had its hands full and might not be able to provide all the 20 boats ordered for the force immediately. He hoped that the first consignment of boats would be delivered in March 2009.
Mr. Infant said that work on three of the five coastal police stations had been completed and the remaining would be completed soon. The personnel for the force wouldbe sourced from surrounding districts for the first couple of years.
But this could not be a long-term proposition as the coastal security police was envisioned as a specialised, amphibious unit.