He also announced that the Maharashtra State Security Guards, on the lines of the National Security Guards, within four months.

A state intelligence training centre would soon become functional in Pune.

On modernisation of police force, he said the state government would set up 24 coastal police stations for better monitoring of the seas.

The state government would also give smart cards to all fishermen, Deshmukh said and requested the Centre to direct other coastal states to follow suit.

The Chief Minister also announced that the government would form a State Security Council to go into matters of security in Maharashtra.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil resigns

Maharastra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who was in the cross hairs in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, resigned on Monday.

"I have submitted my resignation letter to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. I have gone by my conscience and decided to take this step," Patil said.

Patil on Sunday had met Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and said that he would not resign from his post.

He further said that when Akshardham was attacked, the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi did not resign and when the Parliament was attacked the then Union Home Minister L K Advani did not resign.

"Then why should I resign after the Mumbai attack? What morality is BJP talking about?" Patil questioned.

Meanwhile, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to accept the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who has resigned in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

... contd.