The School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies (SICMSS) of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), yesterday, organized the Capacity Building Workshop on Coastal Security. The aim of this workshop was to recognize and promote the constant efforts of coastal marine police officers, the fisheries department, the Gujarat maritime board and the Indian Coast Guard. Indian Coast Guards and Coastal Marine Police have served, promoted and safeguarded Indian coastlines for over a decade.
Around 80 people attended the workshop, including 47 coastal marine police officers and others from the Indian Coast Guard, Gujarat Maritime Board, and Fisheries Department.
Prof. (Dr.) Bimal Patel, Director, SICMSS, addressed the workshop and briefed the attendees about the importance of coastal and marine policy in national security. He also talked about the 26/11 attack, its aftermath, and the creation of coastal marine police under the Coastal Security Scheme. He praised their continuous service to protect and safeguard India’s Coastline.
In addition, he extended and offered the police officers and other security personnel constant assistance in the form of courses, training programmes and research initiatives to enhance and develop their capacity. He also promoted the new scheme of Agniveer. He said Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) is going to create online courses and curricular to benefit those young army, navy and air force personnel in building their career while side-by-side serving the nation.
The event was attended by Nilesh Jajadia (IPS) DIGP Coastal Security, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Guest of honour, Deputy Inspector General, Pankaj Aggarwal, Coast Guard Region, (North West), Gandhinagar, Capt. Ashwin Solanki, Chief Nautical Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, Gandhinagar, Dr. Vijay Sakhuja, Director, SICMSS and Sushil Goswami, Assistant Professor of Law, GNLU.
The other speakers discussed coastal security and its significance for national security, the evolution and development of coastal security culture in India, various traditional and non-traditional threats and way ahead for India and ISPS Code for Marine Police and Port Security Officers. They also talked about the the Coastal security schemes I & II, which were introduced by the Government after the Kargil report.
The dignitaries also discussed their reports that emphasized the loopholes while implementing resources and planning at ground level for coastal police. They highlighted topics like development of port security, port facilities and establishment, the rise in drug cases at the coast, port terminals and sea. They also explained about importance of assistance from various agencies, the speedy reporting of incidents, reprimanding and reducing any such incidents in the future. Furthermore, the speakers focused on the need for technological advancement, research and development and other initiatives that the School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies could take in collaboration with the coastal police.
Also read : SISPA Opens Certificate Course On Counter Terrorism
