Port Blair, Sept.20: The Andaman and Nicobar Police organized a day-long seminar on ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Changing Security Paradigm’ on 20th September, 2019. The seminar was attended by senior officials of the Intelligence Bureau, Cabinet Secretariat, Tri-services Command and Andaman & Nicobar Police. The Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi, IAS, also graced the occasion by his august presence during the valedictory session.A brainchild of the Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sh. Dependra Pathak, IPS, the seminar was in continuation of the discussions held during the DGsP/IGsP Conference, held under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister during December, 2018. The aim of the seminar was to enable an objective assessment of requirements & necessary measures for enhancing the response mechanism involved in coastal security and to develop a security protocol in the emerging sensitive areas in view of changing security paradigm and its ramifications on Andaman & Nicobar Islands.The speakers discussed the prevailing security threats in the Indian Ocean Region and pointed out the need for synergy between various stakeholders and the need for a constant vigil in the prevailing international scenario along with its ramifications in the island territory. They also discussed about the strategy and methodology to detect subversive activities in the islands and to intercept and contain the same. The seminar brought forward the facets of maritime security and intelligence, and highlighted how the Islands will play a pivotal role in bringing about the Connect East policy of the country to fruition, while ensuring strategic depth and a mutually beneficial relationship with neighbouring countries.The programme ended with a detailed question and answer session covering the discussions in detail. All the participants appreciated the seminar, and stressed upon the need for such dialogue to continue further to bring about actionable change in the security of Indian Union in general and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in particular.
