In the backdrop of the ongoing warlike situation with Pakistan, the Union Government has put emphasis on strengthening coastal security. Consequently, Navy, Coast Guard and marine police have been kept on high alert. But the three marine police stations functioning in coastal regions of Jagatsinghpur district at this crucial juncture runs short of manpower and logistics.
Shortage of man power, lack of interceptor boats, infrastructure, arms, electronic gadgets and lack of training to marine police have been compromising coastal security endeavors by marine stations, reports said.
Three marine police stations have been built in Jagatsinghpur district at Paradip, Jatadhari river mouth near Erasama and Bandar under Balikuda coast but all of them lack required jetty for starting sea surveillance and stationing interceptor boat.
Paradip marine police station uses Paradip fishing harvour for sea voyage. Interestingly, two interceptor boats supplied to the marine police station are standing idle due to technical snag over last two years. The marine crews are still waiting for the boats to be repaired. One officer in charge is officiating for both Paradip and Jatadhari marine police stations.
In Bandar marine police station, an ASI is working as officer supported by one Habildar and six constables. The department has supplied six lathis, two bikes and of late, two guns for marine security work. However, the station lacks interceptor boats. Bandar marine police station possesses a well-furnished building, 10 km away from sea shore, without water and electric facilities. There are no quarters for the staff. As a result, crews use police station as home and traverse nearby villages arranging drinking water. Ironically no wireless and telephone facilities have been supplied to this coastal police station since its beginning in 2014.
Reports said that the Union Government launched the coastal security scheme in the year 2005. The marine police stations were erected in Odisha for policing the long coastline. The Centre mandates giving 100 per cent assistance for infrastructure creation like purchase of interceptor boats, vehicles, arms and ammunitions, electronic devices etc where as the State only shares manpower.
Apart from all these, only one marine case was registered in Paradip marine police station all these years. It happened following assistance from Coast Guard and Indian Navy who intercepted foreign vessels and arrested the foreign fishermen and crews from sea and later handed over them to marine police station for lodging cases under marine laws, report said.