India: 'Bureau of maritime security will provide uniform norms'

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 Dec 2008

Creating a Bureau for Maritime Security similar to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security would help bring in uniform standards and procedures on security in the maritime sector, according to Mr R. Bagchi, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau. Such an apex body could bring in uniform security system in the country’s major, minor and private ports, he said addressing the valedictory of a workshop on Maritime Security-Issues and Challenges.
CISF role
According to Mr Bagchi, the Government is also looking at government agencies such as the Central Industrial Security Force for providing security to the private sector.
“We cannot ignore large industrial plants of Tata and Reliance, and private ports that require security protection." The BMS could also look at this aspect, he said.
Vulnerable coast
Mr Bagchi said while the entire Indian coast is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the threat was large for States like Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Tamil Nadu, the presence of an atomic power plant along the coast is a vulnerable area. “It is high time that our industrial zones along the coasts are well protected.”
ID for fishermen
The Union Shipping Minister, Mr T.R. Baalu, said the Ministry would move the proposal for a BMS at the highest level for consideration. The proposed agency could act as an apex body involving all stakeholders, including the Navy, Coast Guard, CISF and port agencies.
Mr Baalu said the Ministry plans to issue identification cards and numbers to fishermen and their fishing boats. This will be done along with state governments to monitor movement of fishing vessels, he told newspersons.

Source: The Hindu Business Line