Gujarat Police raise new marine commando unit

Apart from Porbandar and Jamnagar districts,where the headquarters as well as training centre of the force will be located,the Dahej SEZ in Bharuch district will have a unit of about 50 Chetak personnel keeping an eye on the high seas.

“Dahej being a strategic business region with a port becomes a soft target for any kind of sea invasion. Therefore,we are in the process of acquiring about five acres within the SEZ where the unit headquarters of this marine commando unit of the Gujarat Police would be located,” said Additional Director General of Police V M Pargi.

Although at a nascent stage,nine units of Chetak would be spread across as many coastal districts under a deputy superintendent of police.

“The battalion would be headed by an officer of the Inspector General of Police rank. All the nine units will be provided with speed boats and hovercraft for patrolling,which will be deployed very soon,” added Pargi. The commandos will be trained by the elite MARCOS of the Indian Navy.

The personnel will be trained in Jamnagar and Porbandar districts. “About 700 personnel would be trained in a facility located in Jamnagar or Porbandar district,” said Pargi,adding that all unit headquarters,including Dahej would act as administrative and residential station for the personnel.

According to Bharuch Superintendent of Police Raghavendra Vats,while the Dahej Marine Police station is already functional,the process of land acquisition for the headquarters is moving at a slow pace.

“Our marine police station is ready with boats,but the unit quarters for Chetak is taking a bit of time because of the lack of initiative of local mamlatdars in okaying the necessary permits,which we hope to clear within the next 15 days followed by construction,” added Vats.