Vice-Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, said here on Wednesday that according to intelligence input, “our neighbouring country has been attempting to infiltrate India through the Maldives.”
“There is fear that the Maldives-Andaman route will be used by some hostile countries to infiltrate in mainland India and we have increased security keeping that in mind,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a press conference organised as part Navy week celebrations here. December 4 will be celebrated as ‘Navy Day' throughout the country.
Mr. Bhasin said the Navy was assisting Maldives authorities to strengthen security in that region of South Asia.
Talking about the Adarsh Housing Society scam, he admitted that the Naval authorities should have taken note of the issue earlier. “After this scam, we have recommended to the Director-General that all the revenue land [State government-owned land] lying within defence establishments should be transferred to the defence sector so that there is no misuse of that land,” he said.
If any serving Navy personnel was indicted in the Adarsh scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), action would be taken against them. “But no board of enquiry has been instituted by the Navy,” he said.
Mr. Bhasin elaborately discussed the issues relating to coastal security of the country. “After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, we have increased coastal security. We have established radar network systems. First two coastal radar stations have already been set up at Kandla and Okha,” he said.
He said that after the terror attacks, the Coast Guard had been roped in for coastal security within 12 nautical miles of the coastline as well. “Earlier, the Coast Guard used to look after coastal security only beyond 12 nautical miles. Till 12 nautical miles it was the responsibility of the State government. But now the marine police stations and the Coast Guard are entrusted with protecting the coastal region up to 12 nautical miles,” he said, adding that the Navy was assisting in training the police force for coastline vigilance.
“There are problems in that area. The police force is not well trained to handle coastal security. We have recommended that a specialised, separate ‘marine wing' be formed in the police force. Many trained Coast Guard and Navy personnel leave jobs every year. The State police can induct them with commensurate rank and remuneration,” he said.
