Emphasising the need for strengthening security along the 1,600-km-long Gujarat coastline, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday assured adequate fund from the Central Government to establish Marine Police Institute (MPI) in Porbander, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Union Home Minister is on a two-day visit to Gujarat to review security preparedness along the Pakistan frontier in this bordering State. On Wednesday, Singh visited Porbander and reviewed the Coastal Security Mechanism and preparedness of security forces along the International border. On Thursday, he will visit Kutch and review operational areas and border posts of the BSF in Harami Nullah and Sir Creek of Rann of Kutch.
Talking to mediapersons, Singh said that land for the marine institute would be finalised soon. Praising Defence forces, he said the Coast Guard is performing its duties and playing a very important role for motherland.
The Gujarat coast is vital not only from the point of view of the National Security, but also from the country’s crude oil import perspective, he said adding that more than 70 per cent crude oil comes through Gujarat Coast. Stressing on enhancement of security of Indian fishermen, he said that the Government of India would take all possible measures to tighten security on Gujarat Coast.
On Wednesday, he also visited the Coastal Guard District Headquarters in Porbander. He was demonstrated the features and efficacy of recently implemented network of Coastal Radar Chain along the coast of Gujarat. Singh also interacted with Coast Guard personnel and visited Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel ICGS Vijit that is equipped with the state of art surveillance, communication technology and modern armament.
He also visited Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbander that is responsible for air-operations in support of surface assets for protection of vas EEZ and surveillance of International Maritime Boundary line. He also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and visited his birth place Kirti Mandir in the heart of the coastal town Porbander.
“Mahatma Gandhi is an inspiration for everybody. His views on politics, society and economics are still applicable,” he added. The Minister was accompanied by senior officials of the Home Ministry and Border Security Force (BSF). Singh’s visit to Gujarat is consider extremely important on the backdrop of 26/11 Mumbai attack.