Bengal to raise new coastal security force of fishermen

KOLKATA: West Bengal is in the process of raising a new coastal security force, with cadres selected from youth belonging to mainly fishermen families residing in coastal areas, to man the state's 950-km coastline.

"We are in the process of creating a new force for coastal security. The talks are on with the Union Home Ministry. We want it to be a force meant only for the coastal regions of Bengal," ADG (coastal security) Raj Kanojia told PTI. However, Kanojia said, talks were on with the Union Home Ministry over whether it would be a reserve battalion, which can be deployed in other parts of the country, or a dedicated force for Bengal.

"The talks with the Home Ministry are on. The funds for raising such a force is also an issue," he said. The force, which is yet to be christened, would primarily comprise young men, mostly local fishermen, if they pass the criteria," Kanojia said. The Sunderbans, which is home to the world's largest mangrove forests, has many small islands which for long have been suspected to be a hub of unlawful activity.

According to police officials, the force will add teeth to the existing coastal police stations that were created after the 26/11 under the direction of the Union Home Ministry. Ever since terrorists took a fishing boat to cross over to Indian territory through the Arabian Sea to stage the 26/11 in 2008, the Centre has instructed all littoral states to beef up their coastal security.