Gujarat coastal security worrying, says Congress

Questions the arrest of 28 fishermen by Pakistani marines

November 30, 2018 09:53 pm | Updated 09:53 pm IST - New Delhi

Bleak future:  The picture shows Indian fishermen arrested by Pakistani coast guards in Karachi on November 18.

Bleak future: The picture shows Indian fishermen arrested by Pakistani coast guards in Karachi on November 18.

Days after the 10th anniversary of 26/11, the Congress party on Friday alleged that coastal security in Gujarat bordering Pakistan continues to be worrying.

“Yesterday, as many as 28 fishermen were picked up by Pakistani marines from our side of the ocean,” senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil told reporters at a press conference. “We don’t like to do politics over security, but some matters need to be raised in national interest. How is it that Pakistani marines pick them from our waters? The government needs to answer,” he said.

“When the UPA was at the Centre in 2005, funds were given to the State to strengthen coastal security with night vision cameras, patrol boats, etc. ... the CAG found that these boats are lying outside coastal police stations like Wadinad and Somnath,” said Mr. Gohil holding up a photo from a CAG report. The press conference seemed to be a response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack on UPA’s track record on terror.

“He raised the 26/11 attack in Rajasthan. The boat ‘Kuber’ used by 26/11 terrorists was picked up from Porbandar. If the vessel was fitted with location tracking device, as it is meant to be, then it could not have reached Mumbai without being tracked,” he said.

“You have committed a mistake and want us to carry the burden,” said Mr. Gohil.

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