The Health Minister and spokesperson of Gujarat Government Shri Jay Narayan Vyas has strongly Objected Gujarat Congress Leader’s allegations against Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi and categorically said that It was UPA government’s disastrous failure in strengthening the coastal security and border security on western sea coast of Gujarat. The Ruling UPA government should introspect about vulnerability of our coasts, rather then accusing the Gujarat BJP Government of laxity of coastal security. It was in the Congress rules in the state when coastal Gujarat had been infested by anti-nationals and illegal lending took places in sea coast, he added.

There is open war by Pakistan ISI added terrorists and new dimensions of terrorism are faced by the country, especially after the nature of terror strikes in Mumbai on 26th November 2008. The Gujarat government has been constantly mentioning in every available occasion about the need for border security, coastal security and modernization of state police forces.

The Union Defense Minister and the Union Home Minister have mentioned in the Parliament about vulnerability of our coasts and islands. Concerns have been expressed about strengthening the coastal security and border security as the coasts have been exposed to smuggling of arms, explosives and counterfeit currencies. Besides, along the coastline number of small islands exist which are vulnerable for such activities. However, nothing concrete has been done by the UPA government and the failure of Coast Guard and Navy to intercept terrorists coming through sea route is being attributed and alleged to be failure of Gujarat Police and Coastal Policing. No conclusive proof has yet been established about the Terrorists touching Gujarat shores or places yet the Congress Party is making hue and cry about the failure of Coastal Policing.

Congress should be reminded of the failures during their Rules in the state when coastal Gujarat had been infested by smugglers and illegal lending took place in Gosbara and other places.

Against such threat from sea route to our coasts, we have Joint Coastal Patrolling commenced after Bombay blasts in 1993 involving Coast Guard, Customs and state police. Because of logistical constraints like slow boats, the Joint Coastal Patrolling (JCP) has become a formality. The incident at Mumbai clearly indicates the level of arrangements we have now.

The coastal security involves agencies like Coast Guard, Navy, Water wing BSF, Customs and state police who need to be empowered and strengthened. The Hon’ble CM of Gujarat has categorically suggested that legislation may be made to constitute a “National Maritime Security Authority” and empower it not only to gather intelligence but to act effectively upon it. The Ruling UPA should concentrate on such things and make introspection about the institution they have built all these years rather than accusing the Gujarat Government of laxity of Coastal Security.

Gujarat government mentioned in may occasions that certain areas between Jakhau and Chhad bet are not being covered effectively the Coast Guard or by the Water wing BSF as they are unable to patrol the shallow waters. This has heightened the possibilities of exposure of certain areas to terrorists’ dumping grounds for explosives and safe hiding place near to the state’s border. The UPA government has been sleeping over this and nothing has been done. Even, recent Media reports say that the security agencies in this area are asking for Hovercraft after the Mumbai incident.

The Government of Gujarat had submitted a comprehensive plan for coastal security with an estimate of Rs. 392.47 crores. The five year perspective proposal included setting up of 51 coastal police stations, 70 out posts, 90 watch towers, 53 camels and 106 camel riders etc.

Though the Government of India was kind enough to approve the plan on 15.2.2005, yet Rs. 58.42 crores only was sanctioned on 2.12.2005 approving 10 coastal police stations, 25 check posts, 46 out posts and 30 speed boats with other miscellaneous expenditure on procurement of vehicles etc.

The Government of Gujarat has already operationalised 10 police stations, procured 20 jeeps, 101 motor cycles, and sanctioned 373 posts with 233 police personnel and 140 crew members for the boats to be allotted. Out of 233 Police personnel, 199 are trained by the Coast Guard and deployed in the coastal police stations.

However, even after five years, 30 boats have not been delivered to the state. Because of the non availability of the boats effective coastal policing has become handicapped.

Further, the Vessel Traffic monitoring system (VTMS) in the coast of Kutch has not been operationalised even after the passage of five years. The VTMS will be effective in tracking and monitoring of even the smallest vessel entering the Gulf of Kutch.

Also, the state had submitted proposal for up gradation and modernization of 40 coastal Police stations with an estimate of Rs.219.50 crores. Inspite of repeated requests the same has been rejected by the Government of India. When there is terrorists attack in Mumbai via sea route, the Congress has found easy target of coastal policing failure in Gujarat, but the UPA government in New Delhi does not find it of National importance to strengthen coastal police stations of Gujarat. The proposal for strengthening 40 coastal police stations is being turned down by the Union government in spite of repeated request.

A proposal of Rs. 165.83 crores was submitted by the State Government for construction of road stretches from Ghaduli- Hajipir- Khavda- Santalpur (8 stretches totaling 151.71 Kms.) joining Kutch and Banaskantha districts under the BADP. This road has been pending in the Union government since many years though this road will prove very vital for the development in the areas and for border security. This project will relieve the BSF from the drudgery of covering long and circuitous routes and ensure better mobility of forces.

The Union government should have foresight and the existing Marine Commandos should have been stationed regionally along coast line. The recent operations by NSG commandos in Mumbai took almost ten hours to initiate the action as the commandos were flown from New Delhi. The NSG should have planned to have regional base in the country to minimize the delay.

Extra-ordinary challenges need extra-ordinary responses. It is most unfortunate that the nation lacks determination to strictly deal with terrorism. A stringent law is required not only to punish the perpetrators of terrorism, but also to prevent our educated youth being drawn in to terrorist ideology. The citizens of the state and the entire country are anxiously watching the developments and waiting for exemplary actions for the punishment of the perpetrators who killed innocent people in the terrorist’s attacks. The Nation is waiting for a stringent law like GUJCOC on which the UPA government is sitting over for last 4 years.