Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010961290300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Modern complex soon for Commissioner’s office

Staff Reporter

Kodiyeri opens Town Central police station

Marine sub-division of police being formed
Registration of fishing boats under consideration

KOCHI: The city will soon have a complex to house the Police Commission’s office, and the State government is at present working on taking a policy decision on this long-pending demand, said Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Home, Vigilance and Tourism.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new Ernakulam Town Central police station complex here. Assistance has been sought from the Union government for setting up a mega police system as part of this.

The Police Commissioner has been asked to forward a proposal for building a modernised complex in the place of the existing office. The State government is aiming to equip the police to meet the new age crimes, Mr. Balakrishnan said. The Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam Range, is working on forming a marine sub-division including Harbour and Fort Kochi police stations. Alert committees (Jagrata Samithis) involving fishermen for enhancing coastal security will be formed in 67 coastal police stations this month itself.

Registration for fishing boats also will soon be in place to check the misuse of the coastal belt. Rewards will be given to fishermen for providing information about foreign presence in the sea, depending on the gravity of the information, the Minister said.

Community policing, which has been implemented in 20 police stations in the State, will be extended to 20 more stations this year. The community policing initiative has been appreciated by the Prime Minister at the meeting of Chief Ministers, Mr. Balakrishnan said.

In his presidential address, K.V. Thomas, MLA, said that the modernisation drive should be taken up with public-private participation. Sebastian Paul, MP, was the guest of honour. Mayor Mercy Williams; V.R. Rajiven, Additional Director General of Police, South Zone; Vinson M. Paul, Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam Range; Manoj Abraham, City Police Commissioner, P.M. Varghese, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam; and Corporation councillors Winny Abraham, Lino Jacob and K.V.P. Krishnakumar were present.

Mr. Balakrishnan later inaugurated the Town North police officers’ housing complex. He handed over the key to the first apartment to S. Jayakrishnan, sub-inspector.