India wants high risk zone to be reverted back to Lakshwadweep

Chennai:

India wants the high risk zone, which is perceived to be prone to piracy, reverted back to Lakshwadeep from Kanyakumari, according to Indian Coast Guard director general vice admiral Anurag G Thapliyal.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of Administrative Complex at Coast Guard Air Station here, he said the government is in talks with Indian Maritime Organisation and other agencies as it feels the continued extension of high risk areas close to Indian coast is a threat to the safety of fishermen.

He said that India is seeking the high risk zone be reverted back to 65 degree longtitude to Lakswadeep from the 78 degree longtitude classification which touches Kanyakumari coast.

This has resulted in ships touching the Indian coast posing a threat  to fishermen. “For the last two to two and a half years there had been no incidents of piracy. The high risk zone should be reverted back to 65 degree longtitude,” Thapliyal said.

He also said that the Indian Coast Guard Academy in Kannur will be up and running by 2016. It will be located 20 km from Kannur. We have acquired the land, Thapliyal said.

He also said the trials of maritime satellite system, which is part of the coastal security scheme, on 200 boats in Gujarat is expected to take place by October.

He also said that Indian Coastguard is not part of the National Intelligence Grid but shares intelligence with other agencies.

Interestingly, this comes in the wake of the report ‘US-India Homeland Security Cooperation’, which states that Indian Coast Guard, which was recently designated lead intelligence agency for maritime borders, does not figure in current NATGRID plans.