West Bengal gets its first coastal police station

Kolkata, Sep. 11 (ANI): With the inauguration of Moipith police station in South 24 Pargana district on Friday, West Bengal got its first coastal police station to patrol in the Sunderban delta area.

"There are a large number of tributaries and water channels leading into the Bay of Bengal, which are unpoliced and there is no supervision on the movements of various water crafts in those channels. With a view to meet a possible security threat from the sea these coastal police stations are being set up," said Bhupinder Singh, DGP.

The region has fallen to arms smugglers operating through riverine bodies. Now, the local residents are hoping that opening of new police station would keep the criminals at bay.

"Earlier, the nearest police station was 25 to 27 kilometers away. It was difficult to go to the police station because of the distance and bad roads. Any communication or registering of a complaint with police was difficult. With the police station opening here, things would be easier now," said Madan Mohan Maity, a resident.

Illegal immigration of Bangladeshi nationals and sneaking of goods can also be monitored now.

"Lot of goods come in here illegally from Bangladesh, including firearms. Lot of firearms smuggled in from Bangladesh can be found at Moipith. These firearms are used by pirates on the rivers. The police station will be of great use to us," said Subol Mondol, a resident.

More such stations will come up in sensitive zones to detect and avert any terrorist sneaking into the country from Bangladesh through coastal borders.

After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the Cenre has decided to gear up the coastal security.

According to Bhupinder Singh, joint exercises with police, navy and coast guards are now being conducted routinely for manning the sea and riverine borders with Bangladesh. (ANI)