Following the restrictions at the borders of Odisha to prevent entry of people from the worst Covid-19-hit States, it is apprehended that some people might try to sneak into Odisha though the water routes.
So, in a bid to stop any such infiltration, the Marine police have been alerted to tighten surveillance along the coast.
Personnel of all the 18 Marine police stations across the State have been instructed to ensure that no one from other States can enter Odisha without proper verification of documents, Coastal Security ADG Pranabindu Acharya said.The marine police stations have been provided with more personnel to keep a vigil on people trying to enter the State through the waterways.
Sagar Rakshya Dal, a team of volunteers, mostly hailing from the community of local fishermen, has been alerted regarding migration through the sea route, Acharya said.
In 2020 amid the country-wide lockdown, several migrant workers had entered OdishaTamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal using the sea route.Many people, mostly residents of coastal areas, use the water route to reach Baleswar Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam. Apprehending a repeat of a similar situation, checking has been intensified in coastal areas.