Alappuzha: While cyclone Ockhi has left a trail of destruction in the state, the coastal security in Alappuzha lies in a shambles. One of the three interceptors gutted as a result of a technical snag while it was on duty on July 9 last year has not been replaced yet. According to a coastal police official, the expert who examined the boat had recommended its replacement a month after the incident. The registration and maintenance works are being done under the ministry of home affairs, said the officer.
Though one more coastal police station was commissioned at Arthungal earlier this year, there has been no significant improvement in coastal security. “The station here is not of much help as the guards do not even know swimming. The police have not been conducting even mock drill and night-long searches,” said Mr Joy C. Kambakkaran, state vice-president, All- India Matsya Thozhilali Federation (AITUC).
The Thottapally station became functional with about 39 guards, including a circle inspector, three sub-inspectors and three additional sub-inspectors in 2014. Currently, there are only 23 personnel. “The gutted interceptor boat should be replaced at the earliest,” he demanded. The coastal police stations were set up at Vizhinjam, Neendakara, Thottappally, Fort Kochi, Azhikode, Beypore, Azeekal and Bekal in the backdrop of the Mumbai terror strike in 2008.
