'Combat piracy by bringing coast guards'

Giving a new perspective to the war on piracy, Vijay Sakhuja, director, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) said it was time the coast guards and other constabulary forces began taking an active part in the exercise. Calling piracy a law and order problem, he said it was necessary for the menace to be handled by forces like the coast guard and marine police. 

“The coast guard is better equipped to handle pirates and deal with their prosecution. Bringing in the armed forces, particularly the navy, has escalated the matter,” he said.As the navy became active against pirates, we saw a rise in violence by the latter.

“Over a period of time we should be aiming at reducing the number of naval vessels operating in the Gulf of Aden instead of looking at enhancing their presence. More warships will only escalate the matter,” he said. Sakhuja said it was always easy to capture pirates but difficult to prosecute them.He also emphasised on distinguishing between anti-piracy measures and counter-piracy measures. “The former is passive and defensive while the later is active and offensive,” he said. Suggesting measures to counter piracy, he said the navy needed to give way to the coast guard in the fight against pirates.

“Better co-ordination and training of constabulary forces and viable police arrangements can also help,” he said.