Udupi: 3 interceptor boats ‘anchored’ in police station

DHNS

• They can not be used during gusty winds and heavy rains, say cops

 

Udupi, 17 July 2011: To keep a vigil over the coast against the intrusion of terrorists, interceptor boats were given to the Coastal Security Police. However, unfortunately, the interceptor boats which were supposed to be in the sea keeping a vigil, are ‘anchored’ in front of Coastal Security Police station in Malpe.

 

There are 15 boats belonging to Coastal Security Police in the district. All the boats have not been put to use in spite of terror alert all over the country. Three boats have been covered with plastic cover and are ‘anchored’ in Malpe station.

 

When Deccan Herald contacted Coastal Security Police Inspector Thimmappa, he said that with gusty winds and heavy rains, interceptor boats are not put into service anywhere in the country.

 

Vigilance

 

“However, our force keeps a vigil from the coast. The police will be patrolling all over the coast. We are monitoring each and every movement in the sea,” he said.  There are five Coastal Security Police stations in Udupi and there are 15 interceptor boats in the district.

 

In spite of having sophisticated technology, the interecptor boats can not be used during high tide during monsoon and carry out the operation without any hindrance. It can carry out operation when the sea is calm, it is said. On the other hand, the fishermen said that they are worried as the coastal security police are not patrolling the sea.

 

However, the coastal security police say that there is no threat to the coast as armed men patrol from the shore. “Coast Guard ship also keeps a watch in the mid sea,” they say.