Cyclone Ockhi: Coastal police stations left in lurch

Thiruvananthapuram: The 14 coastal police stations along Kerala coast could remain only as mute witnesses  to the deep sea rescue operations by the Navy,  Coast Guard and even local fishermen following the Ockhi cyclone. Thanks to the government apathy in ensuring the maintenance of  coastal police stations with trained manpower and functional boats. While the majority of the 24 boats of the coastal police stations are defunct, many cops posted at the stations are even ill- trained for swimming. Mr Zachariah George,  assistant inspector-general of coastal security, said that a training programme for the police  officials of the coastal police stations on sea operations by the  Coast Guard was about to commence last week, but was affected owing to the cyclone rescue activities.

“With the available resources,  the coastal police also took part in the cyclone rescue operations on the sea shores. For instance, two fishermen at  Neeleswaram were rescued by the coastal police,” he said. The coastal police stations were set up with central funding as part of strengthening the coastal boundaries of the station. Initially eight stations were set up and later the number  was hiked to 14.   A total of 24 fibre boats, including 16 of 12 tonnes category and eight of five tonnes category, were provided to the  stations. While 13 are fully defunct, eleven are partially operational. But none of the boats are fit for operations in rough sea. 

Police sources said that the government should mandate sea training for men posted at coastal police stations. Considering the higher risks involved, they should also be given additional allowances.   Meanwhile, the condition  of the marine enforcement wing, which is authorised to deal with issues pertaining to fishing sector, is more pitiable. Though there are five stations at present and the government plans four more soon so as to cover all the nine coastal districts, the unit lacks its own boats.  It  used to hire fishing boats to carry out patrolling.  The marine enforcement personnel are also ill-trained in sea rescue operations, said police sources.