(a) whether there are intelligence inputs regarding the possibility of seaborne terrorists attack on offshore vital installations of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the measures being taken by Union Government to counter such threats?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3020
FOR 08-12-2009 REGARDING ‘INFILTRATION THROUGH SEA ROUTES’
(a) & (b): intelligence inputs generally indicate the possibility of seaborne
terrorist attacks and the continuing efforts of Pakistan based Jehadi groups to target
iconic institutions, prominent industrial and scientific research installations and
tourist locations.
(c): The Government has been, on continuing basis, reviewing the security arrangements
in the light of emerging challenges, including terrorist incidents, and a number of
significant steps have been taken to enhance the level of preparedness to counter
terror attacks, to strengthen the intelligence and security apparatus, and strengthen
legislative and investigative provisions to counter terrorism. Multi Agency Centre (MAC)
has been vitalized for sharing such inputs with Nodal Officers of concerned agencies
which are constituents of MAC for further developing the intelligence inputs and
taking necessary measures to counter the threats. With a view to strengthen coastal
security of the country, the following important decisions/initiatives have been taken:
The Indian Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for overall
maritime security which includes coastal security and offshore security. The Indian
Coast Guard is additionally designated as the authority responsible for coastal
security in territorial waters including areas to be patrolled by Coastal Police.
The Director General Coast Guard has been designated as Commander Coastal Command
responsible for overall coordination between Central and State agencies in all matters
relating to coastal Security. The Indian Coast Guard is taking many other steps for
strengthening their infrastructure.
The implementation of existing Coastal Security Scheme, which provides for
setting up of 37 coastal police stations, 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 operational
barracks, equipped with 204 vessels and vehicles, in the nine coastal States four coastal
Union Territories, has been expedited. So far, 64 coastal police stations have already
been operationlised. Supply of interceptor boats to the States/UTs has also started and
56 boats have been supplied till November, 2009.
For further strengthening the coastal security, several other important
initiatives have been taken. The coastal States/UTs have carried out the exercise
of vulnerability/gap analysis jointly with Coast Guard, to firm up their additional
requirements, in respect of coastal police stations, vehicles, boats etc., for
formulation of a comprehensive proposal to be known as Coastal Security Scheme Phase-II.
Department of Shipping has been mandated to streamline the process of
registration of all types of vessel, i.e. fishing as well as non-fishing vessels,
and also to ensure fitting/provision of navigational and communication equipments
on these boats.
Department of Fisheries is taking steps to issue ID cards to all the fishermen.
The Registrar General of India (RGI) is also undertaking an exercise to issue ID cards
under Multi-purpose National Identity Card (MNICs) Scheme to the population residing in
the coastal villages including fishermen.