The State Government has urged the Centre to approve a proposal for creation of a Coastal India Reserve Battalion (IRB) to meet the requirement of coastal security. The Home Department has recently sent the proposal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for creating a 1,000-strong marine force for the State, which is having a 480-km-long coastline.
The Union Government has sanctioned 18 Marine police stations in two phases and these police stations are operating with the State police forces. However, there is a requirement of at least a battalion for the State to handle coastal security, according to a recent estimate done by the State Police Headquarters. The DGP submitted a proposal to the Home Department which after receiving clearance from the Chief Minister has been sent to the MHA.
Marine battalions would provide professional service in the coastal zones. Other coastal States like Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Daman & Diu have also approached the Centre for such battalions, said sources. Out of Odisha’s 18 Marine police stations (MPSs), six are running in own buildings whereas 12 are functioning in rented accommodations. Construction of six MPSs is in progress while land is being acquired for other MPSs, said Home Department sources.
However, funding for the MPSs is not sufficient for which the State Government has repeatedly urged the Centre to hike the allotment. The Centre is providing Rs48 lakh for each MPS which is not sufficient to complete a full-fledged MPS, said a top cop. Now, the State police is funding Rs2 crore for a full-fledged police station in the Maoist areas.
While there is requirement to provide proper training to the personnel, the State Government has urged the Centre to set up a national level institute to train the marine police personnel. The State Government has intimated the Union Government about the availability of 103 acres of land in Ganjam district for a national level institute. But the Union Government has informed the State Government that there would be a State Police Marine Training Centre. So, chances of getting a national level institute in Odisha are dim, said the official sources.