UDUPI: The active cooperation of the local fishing community is paramount in safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders and reinforcing the internal security fabric of the coastal region, stated Udupi District Superintendent of Police (SP) Hariram Shankar (IPS).

He was addressing the valedictory ceremony of a specialized coastal security training program organized by the Coastal Security Training Institute, under the Internal Security Division (ISD) of Karnataka. The extensive capacity-building program was conducted at the Coastal Security Police (CSP) Headquarters in Malpe for police officers and personnel drawn from Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

Directives on Vigilance & Synergy: SP Hariram Shankar emphasized that preventing illicit mid-sea activities, monitoring suspicious vessels, and thwarting infiltration attempts by anti-national elements remain the core mandates of the Coastal Security Police. He explicitly directed the personnel to build a robust network with local fishermen during their offshore patrols.

“Coastal security cannot be achieved in isolation by the department; public participation is vital. Since fishermen understand the ocean’s dynamics intimately, their real-time intelligence inputs and structural cooperation will act as a major force multiplier for our maritime defense,” the SP asserted. He directed officers to conduct prompt inspections and initiate legal action whenever anomalous movements of boats or individuals are sighted.

Two-District Cohort Trained: The strategic training capsule witnessed active participation from the personnel of the Bhatkal, Karwar, Belekeri, Kumta, and Honnavar coastal security police stations of Uttara Kannada district. Officers from Gangolli, Malpe, and Hejamadi stations of Udupi district, alongside the Mangaluru CSP wing, also underwent rigorous training covering modern coastal defense tactics.

The valedictory event was graced by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) K.L. Ganesh, Hejamadi CPI Ratnakumar, Marine Reserve CPI Murthy Naik, Intelligence CPI Sitaram, and Chief Trainer R.G. Biradar. Marine Sub-Inspector (MSI) Shashidhar welcomed the gathering, while MSI Bhaskar Shettigar delivered the vote of thanks.

GangolliNews