Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): With the vast maritime expanse of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands presenting complex security challenges, senior security officials have called for stronger inter-agency coordination, enhanced operational preparedness and closer coastal surveillance to address emerging maritime threats.
The concerns came into focus at a seminar on Coastal Security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Interaction with Coastal Security Stakeholders, held on Saturday at the A&N Police Headquarters under the joint chairmanship of Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd.), National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC), and the Director General of Police, A&N Islands.
The seminar brought together senior officials of the A&N Administration, Police and other agencies to deliberate on maritime vulnerabilities, existing security arrangements and the need for coordinated responses to emerging threats.
The A&N Police Marine Force presented an overview of coastal policing arrangements, operational capabilities and challenges in securing the Islands’ extensive maritime boundaries. The Intelligence Bureau highlighted the strategic security vulnerabilities of the territory, while the Indian Coast Guard focused on transnational poaching and maritime narcotics trafficking.
The Department of Fisheries underscored the importance of fishermen as the ‘eyes and ears’ of coastal security through community-based surveillance and intelligence sharing. An interactive session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss operational gaps, coordination mechanisms and challenges confronting coastal security agencies.
Addressing the gathering, Vice Admiral Dasgupta appreciated the A&N Police Marine Force for undertaking in-house repair and maintenance of its marine assets, an initiative he had observed during his visit to PMF facilities. Emphasising the Islands’ vast geographical spread and strategic importance, he stressed the need for effective coordination among all agencies to address security gaps and build a robust coastal security framework.
