Port Blair, June 19: The Ministry of Home affairs organized a very productive meeting of the LG Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Home Ministers, Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Coastal State under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister in Mumbai on 16th June, 2016.
The meeting was held to review the progress made in strengthening Coastal Security and to take feedback from the concerned Coastal States and Union Territories. The meeting was also attended by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State (Home) Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Home Secretary, Secretary (Border Management), officers from Coast Guard and Navy.
Union Home Minister conducted in depth review on Coastal Security, State Maritime Board status in the states and UTs, security of non major ports and single mooring points, coastal mapping, distribution of biometric cards to fishermen, colour coding of boats and monitoring of fish landing points.
The LG Lt Gen A. K. Singh led the team along with Chief Secretary In-charge Shri Rajeev Yaduvanshi and IGP Shri Narendra Singh Bundela from A&N Islands. The LG apprised the delegates about the importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and mentioned that Andaman & Nicobar Islands are strategically located in the Bay of Bengal which comprises of 572 group of Islands spread over a vast length. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands has a vast coast line of 1962 Km comprising more than 25% of coastline of the Country. The importance of the Islands can also be gauzed by the fact that it only has 0.2% of India’s landmass but holds 30% of Exclusive Economic Zone of the Country. The sheer fact that Andaman & Nicobar Islands are located closer to Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia as compared to nearest Indian Ports of Chennai (1190 Km), Vizag (1200 Km) and Kolkata (1255 Km), it continues to play important and strategic role in coastal security. Hence, it is extremely important to have all response capabilities to be available locally in Andaman & Nicobar Islands as time taken for reinforcement and backup from mainland will be high and A&N Islands can be a soft target for international mischief.
He also acknowledged the progress made in Coastal Security in A&N Islands resulting in decline in poaching activities from 482 poachers caught in 2010 to only 21 in 2015.
The LG also stressed that A&N Administration is planning to construct one Jetty at Interview Island to have more presence of forces on the western coast. He also stressed the importance of tri command in the Islands in ensuring security. A joint coordinated approach between Tri Command, Coast Guard and Police is required for table top exercises and mock drills in such remote Islands to strengthen preparedness for tackling external threats.
The recent efforts taken by Coast Guard to save crew members from a sinking boat Al Safina were very much appreciated. HLG also suggested use of technology like CCTV in fish landing points to tighten Coastal Security. Also, fisheries department has been directed to compile and update all the mobile numbers of fishermen so that INCOIS can also SMS details or areas having fish for commercial catching. Under the guidance of the LG, Police Marine Force has started taking men having experience in boat operation from coastal areas in Home Guard.
The LG highlighted the need for Special Forces to man the remote LOPs which are presently being manned by police. MHA appreciated the efforts taken by A&N Administration in strengthening the Coastal Security and assured that MHA is committed to provide all assistance to secure the Islands.
