Goa to rope in ex-Navy officers to assist marine police

Goa government has decided to rope in former defence officers to guide its marine police force, which is armed with sophisticated boats to man the coast.

"We don't have trained manpower to handle such boats. We will have to be dependent on ex-officers of Indian Navy or Indian Coast Guard for the guidance," chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava said.

These officers can be employed with the special police unit for two to three years. The marine police will work in tandem with the Navy and Coast Guard to safeguard the state's coastline, where vigil has been stepped up in the wake of 26/11 attacks and recent terror alerts, he said.

Srivastava was talking to the media after taking possession of a high-speed interceptor boat, constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) here yesterday. The boat, the fifth to be acquired by Goa, has been provided under an initiative of the Union home ministry to strengthen coastal security. 

Deputy inspector general of police Ravindra Yadav said the need for these boats was felt after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai when coastal security was breached.

"The basic responsibility of marine police is to use these boats to ensure there was no sea-bound terror attack and also detect and stop smuggling and other illegal activities," he said.