One does not need to be an expert to decode that India’s vast coastline has been the weakest link in its security plan. One knew it much before 10 terrorists exploited this easy route to run amok in Mumbai, spraying innocent citizens with bullets, and killing close to 200. The metro has seen a lot of bloodshed in the last 20-odd years from the 1994 serial blasts to the 2006 explosions in local trains, but 26/11 was a watershed.
The vulnerability of the sea frontier had always been an essential component of innumerable meetings that had routinely taken place in the power corridors of Delhi on national security. Yet, when terrorists landed on Mumbai’s shore in a dinghy, they were absolutely unchecked and free to unleash mayhem.
In the defence minister’s own words, the response to one of the biggest terrorist attacks on the country was “totally uncoordinated”. Now, A K Antony does not have a habit of sounding tough. What he meant was that the security agencies not only failed to pre-empt the strike, they were also clueless about how to deal with the entailing crisis.
No sooner than the terrorist guns were silenced after that 65-hour ordeal, the security establishment was fired with several rounds of uneasy questions. What came to light was a collective failure of every government agency. Each of its wings had collapsed.
A year later, the pertinent query still does the rounds: “Has anything changed?” This, despite the government having gone into an overdrive to wipe out its past mistakes. It even ordered a complete revamp of coastal security. Three months after the Mumbai attack, the ministry of defence announced its maritime security plan in February. The highlights of this plan were: Indian navy designated as the authority responsible for overall maritime security • Joint Operation Centres (comprising navy, coast guard, state marine police and other central and state agencies) at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Port Blair • JOCs to be headed by naval commanders in chief • Buying new assets for navy and coast guard — new ships, fast patrol boats and aircraft etc • Setting up of a new specialised force called Sagar Prahari Bal for protection of naval assets • Regional Coast Guard HQ in Gujarat to deal with specific threat from Pakistan • Nine additional Coast Guard stations at Karwar, Ratnagiri, Gopalpur, Minicoy, Androth, Karaikal, Hutbay and Nizamapatnam.
Nine months after the grand announcement was made, the government’s own report card on implementing its schemes tells a story of delays, distraction and disputes:
• Equipment is still being procured for setting up 46 radars along the coasts and islands as part of the Rs 300 crore project being executed by PSU Bharat Electronics • So far, only two advanced offshore patrol vessels and two interceptor boats have been commissioned. The remaining six are expected to be inducted by next March • Five contracts for 74 ships and four Dornier aircraft have been signed. The MoD wants to ensure that their deliveries are not delayed • Eighty fast interceptor craft worth Rs 320 crore for the new Sagar Prahari Bal is still being procured • The Coast Guard will need around 3000 more personnel but their recruitment will take at least 13 more years • Regional HQ at Gandhinagar is now operational and an air squadron has been activated in Porbandar • The ministry of home affairs has made 64 coastal police stations operational but only 25 of the 97 checkposts planned are functioning right now • Only 42 out of the proposed 152 boats have been provided to these police stations and checkposts.
Clearly, the new coastal security system is still in its nascent stages. Experts say it’s not about buying new surveillance equipment or patrol boats, but some key operational issues need to be ironed out. The Navy and Coast Guard are fighting a turf war.
The government was seeking to appoint a maritime security adviser, but these disputes are holding back the appointment. The navy, meanwhile, is worried at the orientation of the state police forces. Navy and Coast Guard have carried out several exercises in the last 11 months all along the coasts to bring together various agencies entrusted with the task of securing the shores.
In July, an ‘Op Barricade’ was held along the Tamil Nadu coast where 13 agencies joined hands and local fishermen were roped in. Later, the September-October Operation Rakshak saw vigorous interrogation of merchant and fishing vessels operating in the Indian waters — for better coordination. But the navy, which is now the nodal agency, laments that other departments are not security-oriented. These departments and agencies need to be trained before they can be made part of security infrastructure. For instance, the security of ports is in the hands of the CISF, but it’s not equipped to operate in a sea environment. The navy is now training CISF to operate at sea. The government has earmarked Rs 6000 crore for revamping coastal security. But it will take years before the money will be spent to buy a new system, which is at least close to being foolproof.— datt.gautam@gmail.com
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