Kendrapara: The 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai forced the state to set up marine police stations in coastal districts. But the marine police stations in this district have failed to achieve their objectives eight and half years down the line.
The Centrally-sponsored marine police station established in Kendrapara’s Jamboo in the Bengali dominated coastal block of Mahakalapara, to beef up security up to 12 nautical miles off the coast, check infiltration of foreigners and protect Olive Ridley sea turtles by restricting fishing vessels from entering the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, have fallen flat due to lack of infrastructure and shortage of staff.
According to sources, after the Jamboo marine police station was set up in 2009 it operated from a rented house in Kharanashi village and later was shifted to Jamboo after its own building was built in 2012. It functions with limited staff.
Another major problem of the police station is that it lacks proper road connectivity. Reaching the police station in the evening or night is a difficult task for a person due to the erosion prone narrow Govari embankment road.
Even a slight drizzle forces the police personnel to remain indoors. During rainy days it has become a difficult task to move in the police jeep on muddy road. Though all senior officials know about the problem nothing has been done, said Priyabrata Dash, IIC of Jamboo marine police station.
Similarly, one cannot find a single policeman at the Talachua marine police station in the afternoon. Sunday at about 4 pm not even a single official was present inside the police station. It seems the cops went to take rest at the barracks.
After 2 pm it seems like an undeclared holiday for them. The police personnel come to the police station after 6 pm, locals said.
Not a single police official being present at Talachua marine police station during the day, can make it easy for criminals to destroy their records.
The station was set up in the Bengali area to prevent the entry of Bangladeshis and curb the poaching of wildlife. It seems that the marine police personnel have failed to carry out their duty in Kendrapara district, which is vulnerable to infiltration from Bangladesh.
When contacted, SP Niti Sekhar said he was aware of the problem of road access to the Jamboo marine police station.
During rains it has become difficult for complainants to reach the police station. He said he would ask the Collector to direct the authorities concerned to construct an all-weather road to the police station.
The SP said he is not aware that not a single police official was available Sunday afternoon at Talachua marine police station. If this is fact, then stern action would be initiated against them, the SP added.
PNN
