CM Pinarayi Vijayan for better internal security

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday reiterated the state’s demand for allotment of a Counter Insurgency and Anti Terrorism (CIAT) school and an additional Indian Reserve Battalion. At the Inter-State Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, the CM said the state was strategically positioned and hence there was big concern about internal security issues. The Left wing extremist activities in northern districts tri junction area were being taken serious note off.

“All the five Left wing extremism affected districts must be brought under the security related expenditure scheme. There should be a special scheme to upgrade and modernise our intelligence set up in police,” he added. The Chief Minister said reports of  some Keralities  joining banned terrorist organisations abroad had been taken with due seriousness by state government. He sought training of Kerala police by NSG, CAPFs and IB.

He pointed out that the Kerala coast was vulnerable. “It would be desirable for the 76 police stations on the coast to have at least one small boat which is sea worthy to go into the shallow areas near the coast. Coastal police training school and one marine IR battalion may also be allotted to strengthen coastal security,” he said and added that funds for police modernisation were inadequate.

Pinarayi Vijayan said the state was spending Rs 1,000 crore over the next five years for raising the level of 140 schools to international standards, further Rs 500 crore was earmarked for making high tech all classes from Classes VIII to XII. “I request the ministry of human resource development to extend help to these programmes,” he said.

Mr Pinarayi felt the Inter-State Council meeting should be held at least twice a year to discuss all defined agenda items suggested by the state government and ministries. The agenda may be circulated at least three months in advance, he said. He urged the Centre to look at the Punchhi Commission report afresh on restructuring Centre-state relations as six years had elapsed since the panel submitted its recommendations.