The Indian Coastal security exercise ‘Theera Veta’ for coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands and the Union Territory of Mahe was conducted from 28-29 April.
The two day exercise had the active participation of all agencies such as the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard, Coastal Police, State and U/T administration, State/UT police, Fisheries Department including Marine Enforcement Wing Intelligence Bureau, Customs, Cochin Port Trust, Director General Light House and Light Ships and Department of Port, Shipping and Aviation of Lakshadweep Islands besides the fisherman association and fishing communities of the state of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe.
The exercise was conducted by the Coast Guard from its Ops room at Kochi and Kavaratti and monitored from the Joint Operation Centre (JOC), at Naval base, Kochi.
During the exercise, participating units were formed into two groups with one group simulating as an attack force and the other group defending the coasts.
Maximum coastal security assets consisting of the Naval and Coast Guard ships, interceptor crafts, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), boats of the Coastal Police, Customs, CISF and the MEW were deployed for carrying out comprehensive surveillance of the coastal waters to prevent all infiltrations.
The JOC, Kochi and Coast Guard operations rooms were also manned by representatives of all coastal security stake holders during the exercise.
This exercise is held periodically to test the security apparatus along the coast and to revalidate the standard operating procedures, with a focus on protecting the vital installations located coast to coast.
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Image: Indian Navy