Even as vigil along Odisha coast has been intensified by the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Police following intelligence inputs of possible entry of anti-nationals following the scrapping of Article 370, coastal security in Jagatsinghpur District are in shambles, New Indian Express reports on August 13. Coastal security system has been affected by shortage of manpower, interceptor boats, infrastructure, arms and ammunition, electronic gadgets and adequate training to marine police personnel. The District has three marine Police Stations and none are well-equipped to effectively ensure security of the coastline.
Jagatsinghpur SP in-charge Biswanath Mishra said despite staff crunch and shortage of boats in the marine police stations, security has been tightened along the coast to thwart possible influx of illegal immigrants through sea. “The marine police are on high alert and patrolling has been beefed up in coordination with the Coast Guard and CISF to keep a vigil on suspicious movement of vessels,” he said.
A three-tier patrolling system has been put in place to secure the coast of Odisha. While the Indian Navy patrols the high seas and carries out aerial reconnaissance with vessel-based aircraft, the intermediate layer comprising the Exclusive Economic Zone (between 12 and 200 nautical miles) is taken care of the Coast Guard. The territorial waters are patrolled by joint patrolling teams comprising personnel drawn from the Customs and State Marine Police.