University lecture on seaborne terrorism on Tuesday

Following the revelation that the ten terrorists who unleashed attacks on the city two weeks ago, used the sea route to arrive into the city...

Following the revelation that the ten terrorists who unleashed attacks on the city two weeks ago, used the sea route to arrive into the city, the University of Mumbai along with The Bombay Geographical Association has organised a lecture on the ‘Implications of Seaborne Terrorism in Indian States’ for its students to sensitise them about the geography of our city particularly the coastal regions.

Professor B Arunachalam, academic advisor to the Maritime History Society and former head of department of Geography at the varsity will deliver the lecture to students at the university campus on Tuesday at 3 pm.

“That the terrorists chose the sea route for coming to the city is hardly surprising. In the past, for instance during the 1993 bomb blasts, ammunition and RDX had been brought in by the sea route,” said the professor who has been in the field of maritime studies, traditional cartography and geomorphology since the past 30 years.

Story continues below this ad

“These terror attacks, however, have assumed international proportions because of the sheer magnitude. The government is planning to set up coastal command now. Question is why didn’t we do it earlier?”Having travelled a length of the 7300 kms of Indian coastline from the Pakistan border to the Sunderbans during the course of his study, Arunachalam wants to ‘spread awareness about the sea’ among people of the city. “The sea is a barrier, a defence frontier, a resource and also a linkage. Post the terror attacks, people were demanding action in several rallies organised throughout the city. But does anyone actually know what action needs to be taken?” he questioned.

Criticising the blame game between the government, the coast guard and the Navy, he said, “Even today, several coastal areas of the city including BARC, INS Hamla, Versova, Aksa and the entire stretch from Nariman Point to Mahim are vulnerable to sea attacks due to lack of patrolling.”

Dr Sudha Srivastava, head of department of Geography at the University said, “We invited him to speak to our students as sea navigation and maritime history have been his areas of concern since years. We expect a large number of students to attend it, especially now, in the backdrop of the recent happenings in the city.”

Professor S Ebeneezer, president, The Bombay Geographical Association, was present at the function.