Now, new squad from TN police the last line of marine defence

The formation of a separate intelligence unit for the Coastal Security Group, which is working in tandem with other TN security agencies along with Navy and Coast Guard, in May this year is already being noted for making an impact in protecting the shores.   

The new unit was formed after K Vanniya Perumal took charge as Additional Director General of Police, CSW. After he found a lack of adequate information flow on activities in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, he consulted with DGP TK Rajendran and decided to form the new intelligence unit. 

According to him,  more than 40 intelligence sleuths whom he had handpicked from the TN police force, have penetrated deep into the coastal areas and are collecting vital information on national security and illegal activities. 

“Since May, valuable advance inputs by the CSW intelligence team have led to a number of seizures of smuggled contrabands of marine origin, ganja and others. Human trafficking attempts – mainly involving Sri Lankan refugees -were foiled because of inputs generated by the new intelligence team,” noted ADGP Vanniya Perumal.

CSW sleuths were also pitching in with possible inputs in subjects like farmers mass suicide attempt on Bay of Bengal on May 15 in Nagapatinam demanding Cauvery Management Board and the demonstration by Pudukuppam fishermen in Cuddallore district. All those who are part of the new units were properly trained by the State Intelligence Wing. 

The formation of the new unit has helped senior CSW officers supervise over the CSG units. This is helping the top brass in making sure that CSG units in the field do what they are assigned. 

“Sometimes we also found police officers hand-in-glove with anti-social elements,” a senior official noted. 

Almost all members of the CSW underwent basic orientation training programme in the last one year and a selected 30 police personnel working with the wing had also undergone advanced beach and surf rescue training for 10 days a couple of weeks back. All those trained will be deployed on important beaches including the Marina to prevent drowning in the sea.