Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 25: Bhaskar Rao, ADG of Police, state internal security, visited Udupi for the first time after assuming charge. Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, August 25 Rao said, "We will present local people with the opportunity to be a part of the Coastal Security Force and also those who have retired from Border Security Force (Water Wing), Navy and Coast guard. These people tend to have information about the biology of the sea. CSF has been actively working since 10 years. There is a need to increase the use of technology. The government is considering having a separate Coastal Security Wing. Home Guards and Sagar Rakshak Dal are the two teams which exist to monitor the movement and activities of fishermen."

"Coastal parameters begin from Karwar and extend all the way up to Talapady, which is about 322 km. All that area is our responsibility and our main objective is to support the fishermen in the time of crisis. We are recruiting candidates from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan. Candidates who know how to swim in the open sea will be preferred. We encourage people to voluntarily join the force," the ADGP added.

"There is also a need to increase our potential by embracing technology. We need to also involve the public in activities like beach cleaning. One of the most challenging things in CSF as observed is the constant monitoring of the arrival and departure of travellers in the ocean," Rao said.

Further, Rao announced that the department had purchased three new Jet Skis. He also pointed out that there are 43 beaches in Karnataka, where several works have not yet been completed as they were discontinued amid the pandemic. He called for finishing the pending tasks in an efficient manner.

"We wanted to conduct workshops in Malpe for the general public, and in the Universities regarding the Law and Acts connected to the sea. The maritime domain is different than the land domain. All of us have been trained on the land domain and now need to expose ourselves to understanding maritime activities, which is a challenge," he said.

Today we need to stress more on physical fitness, technical fitness and emotional fitness. That is the demand while working under pressure. In my role as a commissioner, I have learnt how to work under pressure and how to be ready in emergency situations. We need to have empathy and sympathy for those who work under tremendous stress, Rao stated.    

"We are keen on purchasing a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) because it will help to reach the landing point. Within the police department, we are also planning to increase our capacity," he said talking to the media people present.

Fishermen know more about the sea than anybody else, a skill they have in their DNA. However, they will require some technical assistance from our department. Due to which we are upgrading the technology also, Rao said.

"State government understands the importance of the Coastal Force. All the vacant posts in the department have been filled for effective performance, he said. Talking about the challenges caused by the current social media, the ADGP said, "Social media posts pose a significant challenge in maintaining internal security. There is also a social media cell which tracks down the violators. Anyone who is found inciting violence will face severe action."

"There is a good understanding between the Coast Guard, CSF, district police and Navy. Coastal borders are to be protected so that people are safe, which is why it is necessary to stay vigil. We need to also find out whether people from other countries are involved in fishing activities here. As the maritime borders are sensitive, a special set of skills are required to monitor movements along its borders. Currently, there are over 200 home guards and 1,000 personnel in Sagar Rakshak," Rao asserted.

Chethan Rao, superintendent of police, coastal security was present.