New Delhi: Enhancing coastal security in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa in wake of increasing threat from Pakistani agencies, particularly following of recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir on revocation of Article 370, would dominate the agenda during the meeting of Western Zonal Council to be chaired by home minister Amit Shah in Panaji on Thursday. A few days ago even Indian Navy was put on high alert following intelligence inputs that subversive elements could use the sea route to carry out terror activities.
Home minister will have day-long deliberations with chief ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa along with administrator of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli where a number of issues related to security, development and resolving inter-state disputes will be taken up. However, the key issue to be discussed during the zonal council meeting is to further strengthen the coastal security as the three states have a vast coastline and have been used for terror activities in the past.
Following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in which a similar modus operandi of using the sea route for terror attack was adopted both Centre and State had put in place a series of measures like setting up coastal police station and further strengthening of Coast Guards to check infiltration from the sea.
Home ministry officials said coastal security, particularly along the western coast, remains a major priority and concern and all possible steps would be taken to address this particular issue. Other related issue like giving biometric identity cards and using technology to easily identity Indian boats would also be taken up.
