Second marine police station in Ganjam district at Pati Sonepur

To strengthen security along the coast in Ganjam district, a second marine police station will soon be set up at Pati Sonepur, about 20 km form Berhampur city. The other police station in the district is currently functioning at Arjeepalli, near Chhatrapur. "The state government has approved plans for the new marine police station and it will initially operate from a private building," said inspector general (law and order) in-charge of coastal security Binayanand Jha. He along with DIG (southern range) Amitav Thakur and SP (Berhampur) Prateek Mohanty visited Pati Sonepur on Sunday.

The land for the proposed marine police station has already been identified. "The land acquisition process has begun and it is expected to be completed by next week," said Thakur. The jetty of the fishery department will be put to use till police set up their own. "Two boats, including an interceptor, will be stationed at the new police station for the costal patrolling," said Mohanty.

Decision to set up a marine police station at Pati Sonepur assumes significance with large number of tourists flocking to the coastal areas and a new port proposed near the site. Besides the sea areas, some nearby panchayats would also fall under the jurisdiction of the new police station, the SP added.

Source: Times of India