Police on hunt for boats to man seas

PANAJI: With evidence that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on Wednesday came via the sea, the Goa police has decided to secure the seafront. In an attempt to strengthen sea patrolling, the police will either borrow speed boats from other government departments or hire them from private owners.
���We are trying to procure three or four speed boats immediately either from the Fisheries or Customs departments for sea patrolling.If this doesn���t work, we will hire private boats. Security along the coast will be strengthened in the next few days,��� said DGP B S Brar.
Despite emphasis on maritime security, the Goa coastal police is ill-equipped and short-staffed. They have no speed-boats and the rafts they possess are not seaworthy and can be used only in rivers.
An order has been placed with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for six big craft and three medium sized ones for the three coastal police stations ��� Harbour (Mormugao), Betul and Siolim. However, these will take a while before getting ready.
The state has 65 policemen posted at the coastal police stations, two of which are in south Goa. Harbour and Siolim have 25 police officers each, while Betul has 15. The police are being trained by the Coast Guard and National Institute of Water Sports.
There are plans to recruit more staff at these coastal police stations. ���Once we recruit personnel for the two Indian Reserve Battalions, then we will place two companies to help the coastal police,��� said DGP Brar. Each battalion consists of seven companies.