To strengthen maritime security, govt issues biometric IDs to fishermen, others

Keeping eye on the objective of strengthening the country’s Maritime security, the Home Ministry has issued about 13,81,148 Biometric Identity Cards and 5000 card readers to Fishermen and other stakeholders during two day ‘Regional Editors Conference’ being organised by Press Information Bureau in Chennai on Thursday. India is faced with multiple and complex security and strategic challenges. There is political turmoil and instability in the immediate neighbourhood. 

With the objective to help tracking vessels crossing IMBL and while entering in safety zone around Single Point Moorings (SPMs), the government has issued Colour Coding of Vessels. This will also help to identify vessels about the states to which it belongs to.

Standard operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued for Coastal Police Station. Guidelines on Security of Non-major/minor ports have been circulated amongst the concerned stake-holders. 

Coastal maps for putting information on the map which includes vital details and location of Coastal Police Stations (CPS), local Police Stations, intelligence setup, fish landing points, fishing villages, Ports, Customs Check Posts, Hospital, Railway Stations, Bus Station, Bomb disposal facilities etc also have been issued to CPSs.Security guideline for 1382 Islands and notification of ten Police Stations have been issued to deal with the crimes committed in International Waters, i.e. beyond territorial waters and upto Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ).

Moreover, the Coastal States/UTs are also directed for installation of high resolution of CCTV cameras on high rise buildings and Watch Towers/Light House all along coastal Areas for improving security and surveillance and Enhancing Security of industries located along the coast.

To strengthen infrastructure of Marine Police Force of all coastal States/UTs for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow areas close to the coast a comprehensive and integrated “Coastal Security Scheme” (CSS) was formulated. During the period from 2005-2011, the CSS was implemented in nine coastal States and four coastal Union Territories to strengthen their infrastructure for coastal policing, with an outlay of Rs.646 crore, which provided 73 coastal police stations (CPS), 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 operational barracks, 204 boats/vessels, 153 jeeps and 312 motorcycles. From 2011-16, which has the provision of 131 CPSs, 60 jetties, 131 four wheelers and 242 two wheelers, with an outlay of Rs.1579.91 crore.