Waking up to intelligence reports of possible attacks on Odisha, the Fisheries Department (Marine) has asked fishermen here to immediately inform the Coast Guard about suspicious vessels and people if they notice in the sea. Gahirmatha Forest Ranger Subrat Kumar Patra said they have kept a round-the-clock vigil in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary area by engaging boats in view of the possible terror attack information.
“Though we have not received any direction from the higher quarters yet we have intensified 24-hour surveillance in the coast basing on media reports,” said Patra. He informed that three teams have been engaged to guard the coast along the sanctuary. He said forest personnel and marine fishermen have been asked to give information to the coastal security personnel through the free SIM and the Distress Alert Transmitters (DATs) given to them by the Fishery Department.
“We have also asked the fishermen to keep a close eye on suspicious vessels and their crew members if noticed in the sea and to inform the Coast Guard through DATs,” said Additional Director Fishery (Marine), Kujanga, Gyanaranjan Samal. A DAT is a sophisticated electronic device which is used for sending SOS messages from sea to the Maritime Rescue Center (MRC) at Chennai. On receipt of SOS message, the MRC can send those to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCC) at Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Haladia, Kakinada, Pondicherry and other places.
Meanwhile, Kendrapada SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye has directed all police stations to check vehicles thoroughly in their respective areas. Police arrangements have also been made to ensure smooth conduct of the annual function of the Jamia Ashraful Ulum to be organised at Mehmudabad on January 25. Thousands of Muslim people are expected gather at the religious event, informed Gajbhiye.