By Ritu Sharma, IANS,
Kochi : Against the backdrop of the increased terror threat from the sea, the Indian government Saturday unveiled measures to increase the security of the country’s far-flung island territories and to raise a specialized “Sagar Prahari Bal” marine security force to strengthen coastal security.
Asserting that lessons need to be learnt after the 26/11 “tragic incident”, Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced a slew of measures in view of the multiplicity of agencies involved in coastal security and the resultant lack of coordination.
“The government has approved setting up of nine additional coast guard stations to be located at Karwar (Gujarat), Ratnagiri, Vadinar (Gujarat), Gopalpur, Minicoy (Lakshdweep islands), Androth (Lakshdweep Islands), Karaikal, Hutbay (Andman and Nicobar islands) and Nizampatnam (Andhra Pradesh),” Antony said here.
The government has also designated the Indian Navy as the “authority responsible for overall maritime security”, both coastal and offshore. In securing the 7,516-km coastline the navy will be assisted by the Coast Guard, the Marine Police of the coastal states and other central and state agencies.
“The navy is getting a new specialized force called ‘Sagar Prahari Bal’ comprising of 1,000 personnel for protecting naval assets and bases on both the east and west coasts and the island territories,” Antony said.
“The government has also approved a proposal for setting up a static coastal radar chain and a comprehensive Automated Identification System (AIS) stations along the entire coast as well as in the island territories,” said Antony.
This apart, to augment coastal security in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks when 10 armed terrorists sneaked into the city and wrecked havoc Nov 26-29 last year, Antony also announced the government’s decision to set up joint operation centres.
“Joint operation centres will be set up at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Port Blair, and will be manned and operated by the navy and Coast Guard with inputs from diverse agencies. Further, the navy will control all the joint operations with the Coast Guard,” Antony added.
With multiple agencies involved in the coastal security resulting in the lack of coordination, a national command, control, communication and intelligence (C3I) network will be set up for real-time maritime domain awareness linking the operation rooms of the navy and the Coast Guard.
“The government has decided to procure Immediate Support Vessels for offshore security by the ministry of petroleum and Indian Navy. In the interim, patrolling using hired craft will be done,” the minister added.
Antony was addressing reporters after the keel-laying of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd.