With an aim to strengthen the coastal security in India, a two-day ‘Sea Vigil 2021’ exercise is being carried out at crucial sea ports, including the Paradip Port in Odisha from Tuesday. A total of 18 organisations including Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Odisha Marine Police, Customs Department and Fisheries Department have been participating in the exercise.
Odisha Marine Police Sub-Inspector Jitendra Mani said that after the 26/11 attack, the coastal security has been strengthened India. To curb smuggling including men and material and make an assessment of preparedness, the exercise is being undertaken.
Also, this would create awareness among fishermen and seafarers.Paradip Marine PS IIC Pradyumna Kishore Behera said a total of 20 picketing points have been identified on the coast. The teams participating in the exercise would seize suspicious objects and apprehend suspicious people and inform the higher-ups.
The first edition of ‘Sea Vigil’ exercise had been held in 2019. Similarly, on November 5 and 6, the ‘Sagar Kabach’ exercise was carried out on the coast of Odisha.India has around 5,700-km coastline spread over nine States and four Union Territories. Its islands, including Port Blair and Lakshadeep, are quite vulnerable to intrusions.