Sagar Kavach security exercise underway in coastal districts of central region

A two-day coastal security exercise, ‘Sagar Kavach’, commenced in the coastal districts of central region in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday to assess the level of preparedness and alertness of stakeholders involved in coastal security. 

The exercise, which concludes on Thursday, is being carried out in Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts. Surveillance was stepped up along the coastal areas as part of the exercise.

The Coast Guard, Indian Navy, district police, Coastal Security Group of the Tamil Nadu Police and other stakeholders are involved in the joint exercise that started in the early hours. One of the objectives of the drill is to review the preparedness of the stakeholders to thwart intrusion of terrorists through the sea route.

Police personnel deployed at check posts in the coastal areas in the five districts carried out intensive vehicle checks. The Coastal Security Group personnel carried out patrolling in the sea using their patrol boats checking the boats of fishermen in the sea and those anchored at the fishing harbours.

The coastal villages were brought under the scope of heightened surveillance with CSG personnel looking out for any suspicious movements and sensitising the fishermen.  Vigil was also mounted at high value targets situated in the coastal areas.

Police sources said the exercise was mainly aimed at assessing the level of preparedness and alertness of the stakeholders involved in coastal security while dealing with maritime threats. As part of the exercise, a couple of Red Force teams comprising security personnel were sent as dummies in Nagapattinam district to act as aggressor force. The Red Force teams were “secured” by the CSG personnel at Velankanni and Nagore.