Eastern seaway remains vulnerable

BALASORE: The hours-long standoff and subsequent arrest of 16 Bangladeshi nationals off the Orissa coast on October 22 have sent chilling reminders of the vulnerability of the sea route and the way 26/11 terrorists took advantage of it to cause mayhem in Mumbai.This has also raised questions about the security setup in and around Balasore coast which houses sensitive defence establishments like Integrated Test Range, Proof and Experimental Establishment and a radar station of Indian Space Research Organisation.It is suspected that the Bangladeshi nationals, caught after a gunfire, might not be mere fishermen as they were seen throwing away big packets into the sea while trying to flee. The local fishermen had surrounded the foreign vessel for about six hours before Coast Guard personnel reached there.A trawler driver, Swadesh Manna, who had surrounded the vessel braving gun shots, said if they were fishermen, why did they come with guns and bullets. It is believed that the packets might have contained explosives or drugs or contraband.Investigation found loopholes in the Letter of Permission (LoP) issued by the Centre for fishing through chartered vessels. Foreign vessels take advantage of LoP to intrude into Indian waters. As per the LoP, Indian farms are allowed for fishing through chartered vessels within 20-200 nautical miles. But after these were allowed, the foreign vessels have been operating beyond the allotted area of operation by misusing the LoP.In this case, the seized vessel had no permit.The Federation of Indian Fisheries Industries (FIFI) also claimed that under the disguise of the LoP, these vessels are getting a chance to enter the Indian territory to carry out illegal activities. Though the Andhra Pradesh High Court had banned issuance of LoPs in its verdict in January, the Centre is yet to carry out the order.FIFI joint secretary and All-Orissa Fish Producers’ Federation president Kameswar Narayan Praharaj said they have filed a contempt of court petition in this regard. He demanded that the LoPs be stopped in view of security threat.Praharaj said another Naval wing has become a necessity in the area given the fact that Coast Guard from Paradip took almost six hours to surround the vessel.