Kochi: The Southern Naval Command has decided to initiate a campaign among the coastal populace to sensitise them on security issues along the Kerala coast.
The Kerala coast is intended to be covered in a phased manner and the Navy has sought the help of the district administrations in these coastal districts to ensure that the message reaches the people, a Navy release said.
In order to strengthen maritime and coastal security, the Union government has designated the Indian Navy as the authority responsible for overall maritime security, which includes coastal security and offshore security, it said.
Navy will be assisted by Coast Guard, State Marine Police and other Central and State agencies for the coastal defence of the nation. The Indian Coast Guard has additionally been designated as the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters including areas to be patrolled by the Coastal police.
To ensure that assets are optimally deployed and there is synergy between the two organisations, the Navy will control all navy and coast guard joint operations, the release said.
The Indian navy believes that the coastal population of the country has a major role in preventing incidents of the type, which occurred at Mumbai on November 26 last, it said.