From advising the fishermen community not to venture into the sea to visiting the offices of multinational companies and briefing them about enhancing security, police in South Gujarat undertook a series of measures on Friday as they intensified sea vigil in the 200-kilometre coastal area amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. On Friday afternoon, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, accompanied by Joint Police Commissioner K N Damor and Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 6 Rajesh Parmar ventured into the sea, travelling in a boat for an hour and a half, adhering to all safety measures. Besides, they personally monitored all the landing areas along the coast and supervised the surveillance conducted by marine police officials. The top police officers later held meetings with administrative and security officials of all the multinational companies, including AM/NS, Reliance, Adani, L&T, Kribhco, NTPC, Gail and ONGC, established in the Hazira and Ichhapore areas within Surat city police limits. The officials of the company were instructed to raise the security levels on their respective premises and maintain strict vigil over individuals entering their compound. The police chief also visited Adani Port and Surat Magdalla Port, and deployed staff for security purposes. Bharuch police officials also carried out a mock drill exercise at some of the companies in the district, which has heavy concentration of industries at Dahej area located on the coast. The police requisitioned a boat and intensified patrolling at sea. Similar efforts were made by the Valsad and Navsari police on Thursday and Friday. Heavy industries are established in Umargaon, Vapi, and Sarigam in the Valsad district. Giving more details, Surat Range IGP Prem Vir Singh said, “The patrolling is done by marine police staffers, but we have made a WhatsApp group of fishermen with police. The fishermen community has been advised to remain vigilant and share information on the group or call the nearby police station if they notice any suspicious activity in the sea. We have deployed armed police staffers with binoculars at several landing points in the Valsad and Navsari coastal areas, who will keep round-the-clock vigil. Our teams are well connected with the sarpanches of all the coastal villages, and we are on our toes.” Sources among the fishing community in Valsad and Navsari said that there are over 5,000 boats which go deep into the sea for fishing. Talking to The Indian Express, South Gujarat Vahan Vatu Sangh (Fishermen Association) president Girish Tandel said, “We have been strictly told by the cops not to venture into the sea for fishing. The fishermen stay at sea for 10 to 15 days and sell the catch at the ports of Okha, Jakhav, and Mumbai. The fishing season starts in mid-August and lasts until May. We have passed the message to all the fishermen and also to the villagers of the coastal area between Surat and Valsad to watch out for any suspicious boats.” The coastal area in South Gujarat starts at Bharuch and ends at Valsad.
