Bid to resolve security row at Kochi ship terminal

KOCHI: Efforts are on to resolve simmering tensions between the customs wing and various agencies providing security at the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). On Wednesday, M S Rao, development commissioner of Visakhapatnam’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and holding additional charge of SEZ at Vallarpadam ICTT, convened a meeting of representatives of customs, police, CISF, Cochin Port and DP World, who run ICTT.
A long-standing bone of contention has been authorized entry into ICTT premises, and this reached a flashpoint recently when 13.5 tons of red sanders were seized from a container by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). There were reports that DRI sleuths were initially blocked by CISF personnel on security duty at ICTT and this triggered a major row which led to the filing of police complaints by DRI and CISF personnel against each other.
Talking to TOI after the meeting, Rao clarified that the disputes had risen mainly because of lack of effective communication on entry norms to SEZ. “SEZ is a notified area, where entry is restricted only to those who have clearance from SEZ Development Commissioner’s office. The DRI personnel were probably not briefed on such security norms. They were on a hot chase of the contraband item and were probably in a hurry to catch the illegal goods. Anyway, steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of such disputes,’’ he said.
On the reported threat of Kochi’s customs unit to withdraw its personnel from ICTT if they were not given free entry there, Rao said, “I don’t think that will happen. I’m in discussion with the customs commissioner here, and his response has been very positive.’’
He added that the Union ministries of shipping and commerce had set up an inter-ministerial committee to suggest measures for augmenting security at various ports across the country. The report of committee was getting ready and its recommendations will be implemented by ICTT also, Rao said.