Rajnath wants better centre-state coordination for security

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday emphasised on better Centre-state coordination to ensure foolproof coastal security in the country.

Speaking at the 22nd meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Mumbai, the Home Minister said states of the west coast of India, while being among economically most developed, were vulnerable to terrorist strikes.

"In the light of the prevailing security environment, it is the central government's priority to bolster coastal security through a series of measures, including modernisation of police forces, better surveillance and acquisition of modern equipment and assets," official statement here quoted him as saying.

Talking about Zonal Council meetings, Rajnath Singh said they play an important role in addressing several problems and obstacles.

"They are an important instrument of cooperative federalism," he added, saying the meetings of all the five Zonal Councils were held in 2015, only a third instance after 1972 and 2005.

During the meeting, the council reviewed issues related to coastal security, internal security, issuance of bio-metric identity cards to fishermen, formulation of plans for countering terrorism and modernisation of police force.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' proposal of establishing a Central Marine Police Force was also discussed.

--IANS

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