Congress promises special force to guard coastline

With the country's 7,500-km coastline vulnerable to infiltration by sea routes, the Congress promised to set up a 'Sagar Prahari Bal' comprising 1,000 personnel.

With the country's 7,500-km coastline vulnerable to infiltration by sea routes, the Congress on Tuesday promised to set up a 'Sagar Prahari Bal' comprising 1,000 personnel.

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The special force will protect naval assets and bases, the party said in its pledge on 'Protecting India from Terror' released by senior party leader and Home Minister P Chidambaram.

The document said the Congress-led UPA government is implementing a comprehensive proposal to strengthen maritime and coastal security.

The Indian Navy will be the authority responsible for overall maritime security including coastal security and offshore security, it said, adding that the Navy will be assisted by the Coast Guard, State Marine Police, and other Central and State agencies.

A Coastal Command will be established and the Director General of Coast Guard will be designated as its Commander.

Coastal states and union territories have already been asked to carry out vulnerability mapping of the coastal zone, dotted with 180 minor and 12 major ports, and consider giving digitized identity cards to sea-faring personnel and fishermen in the wake of terrorists taking the sea route to attack Mumbai.