The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Customs Department which constitute a crucial link in coastal security, are closely engaging themselves with the fishermen community to be informed of any anti-national activity in the context of heightened surveillance along the country’s maritime boundaries.
After the Customs Department which sought the help of fisher folks in preventing smuggling through places identified by it as ‘sensitive landing points’, it is now the turn of ICG to organise the Special Community Interaction Programmes (SCIP).
According to official sources, the ICG has given top priority to educating and cautioning fishing boat owners against crossing International Maritime Boundary Line and other security aspects.
Besides, it (ICG) has decided to groom suitable persons as security wardens who would gather intelligence from coastal habitations.
Next on the ICG’s priority list is equipping its officers and staff with card–readers that will check the authenticity of biometric cards being provided to members of the fishing community.
In Andhra Pradesh, biometric information of 80 per cent of fishermen and women was completed by central public sector undertakings ECIL and BEL with cooperation of the Fisheries Department.
As part of the SCIP, awareness will also be spread about the preservation of marine environment preservation and protection.
The ICG has taken steps for organising the SCIP twice a year having considered the fisher men and women as a vital link in the flow of information.
It has suggested that the fishing boats have to venture into the sea in pairs and carry distress alarm transmitters to alert the ICG about any emergency at sea.
The ICG has at present four stations at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam under the control of eastern regional headquarters in Chennai.
The Customs Department has Shore Guard Customs Preventive Units (SGCPU) at Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Narsapur, Ongole, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam.
The ICG has given top priority to educating and cautioning fishing boat owners against crossing International Maritime Boundary Line and other
security aspects
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