Police are ramping up security systems and counter-intelligence networks along the coast in the wake of intelligence alerts that infiltrators hailing allegiance to Bangladesh-based terror groups would attempt to enter the State through the coast.
Central intelligence agencies, which were on high alert after the recent Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed hundreds, warned that two infiltrator groups from Bangladesh, both ISIS affiliates, would attempt to sneak into the country similar to how the 26/11 attackers entered Mumbai.
While security is at a high, a major cause of concern is the level of preparedness of the Coastal Security Police who are geared up to handle any threat.
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DGP R.P. Thakur had acknowledged the threat perception when he was here a couple of days ago, with Commissioner of Police Mahesh Chandra Laddha requesting him to take up the capacity building of the CSP, keeping in mind the threat.
Though the concept of CSP in A.P. was initiated in early 2000, it gained importance post the 26/11 Mumbai attack. The idea was to strengthen coastal security, which was till then primarily handled by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.
A.P. has the second longest coastline of about 974 km, with 400 potential landing points and 14 major and minor ports. Visakhapatnam, with several critical and vital installations located in its hinterland, assumes strategic significance.
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Despite the potentiality and threat perception, the force that was initiated about 15 years ago is still to become a security force to reckon with. CSP was started to form the third wing of security of the coast, after the Coast Guard and Navy. The idea was to have police stations sprinkled across the coastline.
“Though we have the required number of police stations, they are not as potent as desired,” said a senior officer from the CSP.
Along the 974-km coastline, there are 21 police stations built in two phases. But not a single police station has a jetty attached to it. If there is a threat in Bhavanapadu, a boat will take at least six hours to reach the spot from Visakhapatnam.
Police stations with jetties that can house at least two 12-tonne fast interceptor boats will be ideal, said the officer.
The proposal of jetties was made and it was submitted to the Central and State Government, and the government sanctioned ₹50 lakh per jetty. “It is meagre, as building a small 70 mt jetty, which can house two boats will cost at least ₹ 5-6 crore. This indicates there is no budgetary support,” said another senior officer.
Boats yet to come
In the first phase, 18 fast interceptor boats were sanctioned and given for the six police stations, but now only about 10 to 12 are operational. The Central Government later sanctioned 30 boats for the 15 new police stations in the second phase, two per station, in 2014, but so far the boats are yet to come. “So, where is the capacity building. We still have to depend on the 10-odd old boats for the entire 974 km coastline,” said the officer.
The sanctioned strength for CSP is around 1,870 but the force is functioning with around 42% of manpower. There is no direct recruitment, and many of them who are posted on deputation including officers are either on punishment transfer or those who are not very fit. “There is no young blood, so agility and motivation is always a question,” said a DSP-rank officer.
Two separate battalions and a separate marine police academy that were proposed for the force hangs fire. About 104 acres was identified near Baruva in Srikakulam to house the battalion and another 200 acres was earmarked for the academy in Machilipatnam, but there is no headway in the projects. This has impacted the training of the force, said sources in CSP.
Weapons gather rust
Sophisticated weapons such as INSAS 5.56, SLR 7.62 mm and AK-47 rifles and sidearms that were sanctioned for the force have not been allotted, and they are gathering rust at the armoury. The force is considered widely ill-trained, said a former IG rank officer, who served in the CSP.