The State Government on Monday urged the Centre to sanction a special IR battalion to be deployed in the coastal areas of the State. Chief Secretary GC Pati made this request during a teleconference with Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth held at the State Secretariat. Senior officials of the Home department and top police officials were present during the teleconference in which issues relating to security along the State’s 480-km-long coastline were discussed.
“We have requested the Central Government to sanction an IR battalion to guard the State’s coastline area. We have also requested early allocation of patrol boats for the 13 marine police stations, which have been opened in the State in the second phase,” ADG (law and Order) Vinanyanand Jha told mediapersons after the meeting. Jha said the Centre had been requested to enhance the grant for the construction of jetties.