After the terror blasts in the state capital last month, the police administration in Nellore district has sounded a high alert all along the 167 km coastline spanning 13 mandals, including Muthukuru and Sullurpet where the Krishnapatnam port and the Sriharikota rocket lauch facility are situated.
In view of sensitive nature of these two installations, particularly SHAR, the police have undertaken round-the-clock patrolling of the coastline in coordination with the marine police and the Coast Guard.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Nellore police have intensified patrolling in the area around SHAR and are keeping a strict watch on the entry of newcomers.
According to coastal services inspector M Madhu Babu, there are three marine police stations at Dugarajapatnam in Vakadu mandal, Sriharikota in Sullurpet mandal, Iskapalle in Alluru mandal. Each has 70 personnel, who include one circle inspector, one station house officer and four head constables. He said they have been ordered to conduct round-the-clock boat patrolling up to 12 nautical miles in the Bay of Bengal. They have also been told to keep a watch on activity by Sri Lankan fishermen, as there is a possibility of terrorists mingling among them.
Coast Guard commandant T R K Rao told Express that the Nellore zone is sensitive, as they have send back Sri Lankan fishermen found in Indian water on several occasions. He said 14 sailors, including one SP rank officer (himself) and one DSP rank official, have been deployed at the Krishnapatnam port. Their purview is 120 km in Nellore, 135 km in Prakasam and 100 km in Guntur district. Commenting on the measures to check access into SHAR, a CISF said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, they will soon adopt highly sophisticated technologies to scrutinise newcomers.
Expressing concern over a couple of theft incidents at SHAR in the past, he said if thieves can enter SHAR, it would be no great feat for a terrorist to do so too.
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