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This story is from January 2, 2008
A marine police that can't swim!
If a constable of Gujarat's Marine Police Force (MPF) was forced to jump into the choppy sea at Hazira to nab a smuggler or a terrorist, he would most likely drown.
SURAT: If a constable of Gujarat's recently created Marine Police Force (MPF) was forced to jump into the choppy sea at Hazira to nab a smuggler or a possible terrorist, he would most likely drown. Most personnel of this force don't know how to swim. Those who can swim have done so only in ponds and rivers, never in sea water.
The personnel were even taken to Porbander for 'training' but it was limited to classroom discussions.
This is no laughing matter as MPF was created toward off a possible terrorist attack against industries along the coast at Hazira and Dahej, which have been receiving investments in thousands of crores.
"I really don't know how to rescue a person drowning at sea," one of the officials of the force told TOI. "I am not even sure I would be able to react in time if an intruder jumped into the sea to escape. All I know is how to tie the life jacket so that I can save myself in case I fall into the water."
Another official who had attended the Porbander training said, "We were never taken to sea. We were just told how to react when there is a technical snag with our boats, how to manage the situation when the driver of the boat is ill or falls unconscious. Besides, the trainers spoke in English. We could not understand most of what was said."
Surat police commissioner R M S Brar believes there is enough time to train the men. "We have a lot of time to train them," he said. "We are yet to acquire the required boats for the force. We will train them before the force becomes fully functional."
hitarth.pandya@timesgroup.com
The personnel were even taken to Porbander for 'training' but it was limited to classroom discussions.
"I really don't know how to rescue a person drowning at sea," one of the officials of the force told TOI. "I am not even sure I would be able to react in time if an intruder jumped into the sea to escape. All I know is how to tie the life jacket so that I can save myself in case I fall into the water."
Another official who had attended the Porbander training said, "We were never taken to sea. We were just told how to react when there is a technical snag with our boats, how to manage the situation when the driver of the boat is ill or falls unconscious. Besides, the trainers spoke in English. We could not understand most of what was said."
Sources revealed that of the one head constable and two constables in the force, two can't swim and one has never taken a dip in sea water. "It is sad that such an important aspect has been ignored while selecting personnel," a cop said on condition of anonymity. "This is a tragedy in the making."
Surat police commissioner R M S Brar believes there is enough time to train the men. "We have a lot of time to train them," he said. "We are yet to acquire the required boats for the force. We will train them before the force becomes fully functional."
hitarth.pandya@timesgroup.com
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