Tamil Nadu has started intensive patrolling and effective screening of Sri Lankan refugees entering the country to avert infiltration of anti-national elements in view of the developments in the neighbouring country.
"The state government is taking all out efforts to organise intensive patrols and effective screening of the refugees entering the country to avert infiltration of anti-national elements," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said in his speech at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security in New Delhi.
Though Karunanidhi did not come for the event, he was represented by state PWD and Law Minister Duraimurugan.
In a copy of the speech which was given to the media, he said, 'It (patrolling and screening) has become more imperative due to the existence of long International sea border and the ongoing sensitive developments in Sri Lanka.'
He said the sea borders along the state should be treated on par with the international borders in North, East and West.
'I request the prime minister to treat the lengthy, porous sea border of Tamil Nadu along the East coast on par with the international borders in North, East and West and increase the presence of Central Forces and the Coast Guard and the Navy,' the speech said.
It also said, 'Tamil Nadu continues to remain free from any major crisis' but the state has 'identified major establishments, installations, symbolic and iconic structures and has reviewed the security of these establishments'.
A proposal to set up an Organised Crime Intelligence Unit is also under the 'active consideration' of the state government, the speech of the CM said.
Talking about the suggestions of the Union Home Ministry, the Tamil Nadu CM in his speech said, 'In a state like Tamil Nadu, consisting of 32 districts, the suggestion to hold meetings at each district headquarters over a period of one or two months by the Chief Minister or the Home Minister with the district Collector, Inspector General of Police to review the security situation in the districts, may not be a workable proposal.'
The chief minister also mentioned that the state government 'plans to constitute a team of trained commandos who can be positioned at vital installations and establishments at Tirunelveli, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem and Chennai.'
Referring to the recent Mumbai terror attacks, the CM said, 'Since mega cities are becoming targets for terrorist attacks, security-related expenditure for countering terrorism may have to be borne by the central government even beyond the promised period of 10 years. The Union Budget may provide substantial funds for modernisation of the central and state police forces -- the current funding under Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) scheme is insufficient,' the speech said.
During the year 2008-09, the state police department has been allocated a sum of Rs 2,427 crore, it added.
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