600 CISF men trained by Navy for coastal security

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) To enhance security of ports and
economic installations in the post 26/11 scenario, the Indian
Navy has trained 600 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
personnel to specially deal with security threats to such
places from the seaside or waterfront.
"We have provided training to CISF personnel to secure
ports and other vital economic installations situated at
coasts from the waterfront side. These men have been trained
for watermanship and will be deployed at all ports," Navy
sources told PTI.
Though some major ports in the country were already put
under CISF security following the increasing security needs,
the force started training its men to deal with security
threats which could emerge from the traffic coming to these
ports from the seaside.
The three to four weeks training program, which was
conducted in different batches, took place at Chilka naval
base in Orissa.
Besides orientation on different aspects of port
security, the CISF men were given training in handling boats
and basic navigation skills, the sources said.
The Navy had also asked CISF to employ retired naval
personnel to enhance capability in guarding vital economic
assets on the coastline and ports.
Meanwhile, to increase electronic surveillance capability
on the Indian coastline, the government has further approved
installation of coastal radars, Automatic Identification
System (AIS) and purchase of Fast Interception Craft (FIC) for
Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Navy officials here said the contract for 47 coastal
radars worth around Rs 602 crore would soon be signed with
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
"These radars would be put all across the mainland and
a contract is expected to be singed with BEL soon for this.
The project is being steered by ICG," they said.
Out of the 80 FICs, the first batch of four boats will be
delivered in the next six months, while the rest are expected
to be delivered in another three to four years.
Government has also approved installation of a chain of
84 AIS systems across the coastline for identification of
ships and fishing vessels in Indian waters.