No vigil on coast as marine cops lack training on boat use

Nellore: Coastal security in the district is under threat with no basic facilities at the stations and work efficiency to the men. The staff are expected to be protectors of the coast with unrelenting action against intruders, but they don’t have appropriate job-related training, no knowledge on utilising equipment and sufficient manpower to perform the duties.

Thanks to the administration that has finally been deputing the staff members on punishment basis with no work leading to botched vigil over the coast. This is the typical story of marine police where the state-level system was introduced on par with the Indian Coast Guard to perform maritime security.

Consequently, the fishing activity of fishermen from Tamil Nadu has been increasing thus creating disturbances in the region with frequent disputes between the groups from two states. Violation of marine fishing zone areas by Tamil Nadu fishermen already turned out to be a law and order problem in the district and local leaders were being involved to resolve the issues on a regular basis.

There is around 170 km of coast spread in 12 mandals from Kavali to Tada in the district and the places between Krishnapatnam Port and SHAR Centre have significance keeping in view of any possible infringements. So, the state government planned marine police stations with job chart similar to the Indian Coast Guard for taking up maritime security.

Initially, police station was set up at Dugarajapatnam village in 2006 and subsequently Sriharikota, Iskapalli and Allur areas allocating funds for maintenance. New buildings were also constructed for the staff and provided 3 boats to Dugarajapatnam station. But, they have been kept idle due to poor knowledge on utilisation and without registration.

Reportedly, there has been marine mafia operations in the state where foreign vessels with Thailand and Sri Lanka registration use same numbers for Longliner Fishing Vessels that cross country borders for their operations. These activities are to be closed monitored for any possible entry of foreign nationals, suspected terrorists and smuggling materials.

Now, only Indian Coast Guard based at Krishnapatnam Port is taking care of such duties. “Due to lack of registration, we are not operating the boats for maritime security since we don’t have proper training on the vigil also. So, there is nothing do for safeguarding the coast,” admitted a senior police official connected to the duties.

The ridiculous thing was only Dugarajapatnam Marine Station has been provided with three boats costing Rs 2.5 crore each and other stations were provided only jeeps and motorcycles for coastal vigil. A police official commented that how they can perform off coast duty with road vehicles. Even though, they were having boats there is no facility of jetty for entering the sea, he added.

By P V Prasad