‘Cops not clear on coastal security’

The committee has also pointed out that the current coastal security infrastructure by the police authorities is merely a “show” and not really stringent enough to guard the coast from nefarious elements or activities.

Responding to the critical analysis,the state has replied that though the Centre has appointed the Navy and the Coast Guard for coastal security,a precise division of responsibilities and jurisdiction between the two commands has not been clearly stated. Moreover,it is difficult to always differentiate who will be accountable for security between the coastal region and the sea,the government has said.

Just a fortnight before the state appointed the committee,the Coast Guard had written a letter to the chief secretary to the government of Maharashtra,pointing out the state’s responsibilities in tackling coastal security. The letter,sent immediately after the coast guard conducted a review of the attack,clearly listed measures to be adopted by the state: gathering intelligence,ensuring that fishing activity is restricted to certain zones and is not scattered across the international maritime border,checking on the antecedents of fishermen who have GPS and high end communication kits in their trawlers and who are found communicating with one another while still sailing in Pakistan waters,cancellation of permits if fishing trawlers crosses Pakistan waters,concepts of issuing ‘colour uniforms’ for boats from the state,etc.

The only effort that the state government has mentioned is strengthening the intelligence machinery with the help of the fisheries department—a move that many fishermen say is yet to take shape owing to the various disputes among the fishermen unions. On the infrastructure,the state has responded that 43 speed boats are being used and 400 police constables are being trained on coastal policing,and setting up of coastal security police stations and booths.