TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Admitting lack of infrastructure and ‘operational limitations’ to patrol the designated 12 nautical miles, the State government has redefined the area of operation of the coastal police to 5 nautical miles from the high tide line, leaving the area beyond to the Indian Coast Guard.
The government notification also accords government sanction for the setting up of seven Coastal Security Police Stations at Tiracol, Siolim, Chapora, Panaji, Harbour, Betul and Talpona.
“They (coastal police stations) shall have the jurisdiction in the territorial waters from the High Tide Line (HTL) of their respective Coastal area and these Coastal Security Police Stations may be redefined to 0-5 Nautical Miles (NM), owing to the present infrastructural capability and operational limitations of the Coastal Police notwithstanding the fact that legal jurisdiction of the Coastal Police Station shall extend upto 12 Nautical Miles (NM),” the notification says adding that beyond 5 Nautical Miles (NM), the operational jurisdiction will be exercised by the Indian Coast Guard.
The Coastal Security Police Stations are supposed to “handle crime in every form in the territorial waters within their respective jurisdiction including infiltration, illegal cross border activities, piracy, armed robbery, seizure of illicit explosives/arms/ammunition/narcotic drugs,” says the notification.
Coastal security became an issue in the country after the 2008 Mumbai attacks that saw twelve coordinated attacks across Mumbai after terrorists entered the country through its porous coast and claiming many lives including those of foreigners, spreading mayhem and exposing the frightful first response capabilities of the country.
Members of Lashkar-e-Taiba ~ of whom only one Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive ~ unleashed the mayhem from 26 November to 29 November 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 300.
Eight of the attacks occurred at iconic and highly populated structures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Nariman House Jewish community centre and Metro Cinema. There was also an explosion at Mazagon and in a taxi at Vile Parle.
After this all marine police stations and jetties were developed in a Comprehensive Coastal Security Scheme for coastal states including Goa. The up-gradation of infrastructure, logistics and manpower is to include nine 12-toner and five-toner interceptor boats ~which are already functioning ~ and four patrol boats of 12 tons each for the four new marine police stations.
If the CPSs and jetties are commissioned as scheduled, the government will be well ahead of meeting the 2015 deadline.
