A central marine police force to protect sea, coast, ports and vital institutions along country’s 7,517-km-long coastline may come up in near future. The issue was discussed at a meeting where Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the suggestion and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accepted it as a “good idea”.
Fadnavis suggested at a meeting of ministers, chief secretaries and directors general of police of coastal states and union territories on Thursday in Mumbai that there is a need for a dedicated command structure for marine police and a central police organisation may fill the gap, an official said.
The official, who attended the meeting, said the Home Minister appreciated the suggestion of setting
up a central marine police force saying it was a “good idea” and it can be explored.
At least four states have supported the suggestion as most the coastal states have been facing problems in dealing with crimes taking place within 12 nautical miles from shore that comes under the jurisdiction of marine police. The detailed structure, operations and modalities of the force will be worked out soon.
India has a 7,517-km coastline, which is dotted with 12 major ports and 187 minor or intermediate ports. India’s territorial waters end at 12 nautical miles while exclusive economic zone stretches to 200 nautical miles from the coast.