Kanpur: Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal on Saturday said there was a need to secure the Indian coastline in Gujarat and Maharashtra with modern weapons and equipment.

"There was a need for special measures to protect the coastline of Gujarat and Maharashtra and the union government will provide all necessary assistance to the two states," he said.

The Centre will have a relook at the coastal security and provide latest weapons and equipment, alongwith trained manpower and funds to prevent such a terrorist attack, he said.

The minister, who returned to his constituency here from Mumbai, said it took three days to neutralise the terrorists holed up in Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident and Nariman House as the first priority of the NSG commandos was to avoid all collateral damage. Protecting the lives of the hostages and taking them out safely was utmost in the minds of the commandos.

Jaiswal said that a neighbouring country had a hand in the terror attack. "The bosses of these terrorists, who are based in a neighbouring country have understood well that they will not be able to attack India on land or air and so chose the sea route," Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal said Rs 100 crore have been earmarked for coastal security of Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which share international borders with other countries.
Source : DNA