Coastal security awareness campaign draws flak

Mangalore, July 27: With terrorism activities increasing day by day and terrorists opting sea-route to enter the country, it is important for the coast guards to tighten the security. “Fisher folk are the eyes and ears of the coastal security and help is required to keep the country safe,” said Staff Officer (Coastal Security) to the Naval Officer in Charge (Karnataka) Commander Tushar Sockey in a coastal security awareness campaign held at Mangalore on Tuesday.

India has 1750 km long coastal stretch and at several places the stretch lacks security forces. Hence, the fishermen have to be alert and inform in case they find anything unusual such as a person photographing or sketching, contacting ships with torch signals, transferring goods from a ship to a boat, transferring people, fisher folk fishing in areas not meant for fishing and are acting suspiciously or people urging fisher folk in buying their boats or renting them by paying a huge amount of money.

These incidents have to be reported immediately to the coastal security police by contacting toll free numbers 1093 and coast guards by contacting toll free number such as 1554, he said.

Sockey further stressed on the safety measures which have to be adopted by a fisherman before sailing into the sea such as usage of life buoys, life jackets and he demonstrated on how to use them. He advised fishermen to install Distress Alert Transmitters (DAT) in their boats which are available through subsidy from the government.

Fishermen retaliate

“We shall inform you in case of distress or suspicious events but how long will you take to respond,” questioned Panambur Beach Development Corporation Chairman Yatish Baikampaddy. The fisher folk have been asked to fax their complaints before action is taken. “Such kind of protocol is a hindrance during emergency,” pointed out Yatish.

The fishermen also stressed on appointing local fishermen in the coast guard security team and coastal security police. “We know the sea much better and also the fishermen,” they said. Fisherman Sharad Guddegoppla regretted that most of the people appointed in coast guards do not know the local language. “It is necessary to concentrate on area-wise recruitment,” he suggested. Another fisherman commented that the coast guards are not alert and waste too much of time following protocol during emergency.

Thushar Sockey said that he shall take down the suggestions and discuss it in higher level meetings.

Coast Gaurds Uttam Adhikari Shridhar Upadhyay said that the coast guards will be alert with a ready duty ship, whose engines will be working. However, sometimes if the ship engine is switched off, then it shall take two hours to start the engine, he said. He also informed that many a times, they have to wait for orders from Delhi office as a protocol.

Karavali Niyantrana Dala

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Coastal Security Police Inspector Mukund Nayak said that 200 fishermen are going to be employed by the coastal security police throughout the state. As many as 35 will be appointed in Mangalore in the 'Karavali Niyantrana Dala', he said.

These fisher folk will work similarly to the Home Guards concept. They shall accompany the coastal security police and will also conduct minor investigations and inform in case they get to know something. They shall be provided 10 day allowance in a month. The recruitment has taken place and the coastal squad may come into force by month end, he said.

'Missing fishermen'

Three fishermen, Francis, Vincy and Manoj who had set sail from Bengre on Saturday evening and are supposed to return on Sunday morning are missing. The last call recorded from them is from Manjeshwar, said Yatish Baikampaddy who added that when he had called the coast guards, no one was answering the phone and was asked to send a complaint via fax by the coastal security police.

However, the coast guards at the meeting said they were not aware of the matter and have informed the authorities immediately after they came to know in the meeting.

Coastal Security Police Inspector Mukund Nayak said that he had received the complaint from Yatish on Monday evening and had informed the authorities for action.

“We have complained on Monday evening but still action is not taken. The fishermen have gone to sea only with water bottles. If more time is wasted, then any mishap can occur,” he said. He also said that the coast guards should use their Dornier aircraft to conduct search operations.