A new threat is looming large on India’s vast but porous coastline. Central intelligence agencies have warned of security threats from unregulated sale and purchase of lifeboats and small vessels in a ship-breaking yard, following startling disclosures made by joint operation centres which suggest that no records of such boats and buyers exist with the security agencies. Waking up to the danger, government agencies have now decided to launch a comprehensive security audit to ascertain threat to the coastal security.
The inputs reviewed by The Sunday Standard suggest that these craft are available off-the-shelf at scrap shops at Alang in Gujarat and no identification or licence is required to operate these machines, which is in clear violation of coastal security norms. Though, security agencies had recommended biometric identity cards for coastal residents and registrations of all types of vessels, the rules are being openly flouted by scrap dealers at Alang. Central agencies fear that unchecked business of small vessels might be exploited against national interest.
Sources said the flourishing business of ship breaking in India is an ideal breeding ground for mafia to indulge in nefarious activities as most of these end-of-life ships involve hawala transactions. They confirmed that engines of some of these vessels, seized by security agencies, were made in Japan and USA.
“These boats are being considered as serious security hazard. We have received intelligence inputs that these boats could be used for smuggling and other illegal activities like infiltration by foreign outfits in sanitised areas. We are seeking stringent regulations on sale-purchase of these vessels,” sources said. A senior intelligence official said some of these unregistered vessels with a capacity of around 30-40 passengers were recently spotted near strategic observation posts. He said certain loopholes in Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 were being exploited by the scrap dealers to further their commercial interests.
“Director General of Shipping in 2012 had proposed to amend the Act to bring all vessels below 15 tonnes under the mandatory registration regime. These lifeboats or small craft weigh between six and 10 tonnes. Once the law is implemented, all boats would be required to be registered under the Merchant Shipping Act,” he said.
Intelligence agencies have asked 12 states and union territories to step up security along coastal areas. They have been told to work with the multi-agency coordination mechanism for security of offshore development area and island territories. The home ministry had recently stated that a continuous review and monitoring of various mechanisms has been established by the government at different levels, involving various agencies, including the states and union territory authorities to check infiltration along the coastline.
Currently, security agencies have a three-tier coastal security ring protected by Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy. Officials confirmed that security agencies are conducting 360 degree security profiling of existing fishing boats in certain pockets and also proposed colour-coding and Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) tag for all small craft and lifeboats.
“We are also mulling penalty for sale and purchase of these lifeboats without proper identification and registration. Authorities concerned have been asked to prepare a note of such activities at Alang, and inspection and raids will be conducted to crack down on illegal activities,” officials said.