Nearly 20 lakh fishermen enrol for biometric ID cards, says MHA

NEW DELHI: A total of 19.74 lakh fishermen have enrolled for biometric identity cards issued by the Centre, which on Friday said the move will upgrade security along the country’s coastline and protect the people fishing near international waters.

Back in 2009, the Centre had proposed the need for the cards after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Pakistani attackers had used the sea route to launch a four-day long carnage, killing 164 people and wounding more than 300 in 2008. There have been several instances when fishermen belonging to both India and Pakistan have crossed international waters for fishing, only to be apprehended by authorities of both countries.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) said of those who have enrolled for the biometric cards, 18.6 lakh have been issued the same.officials said 4,000 card readers were given to coastal police and Indian coast guards by Registrar General and Census Commissioner and another 2,636 were given to state fisheries departments by the department of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.

The MHA said the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) satellite imageries will soon monitor suspicious vessels and boats venturing into seas as part of the country’s coastal security mechanism. The space agency will provide 1,000 transponders to authorities concerned and security agencies guarding the coast lines. “For monitoring, automatic identification system will be installed in all boats above 20 metres. Colour coding of boats is being undertaken by coastal states and Union Territories for easier monitoring in the high seas and on the International Maritime Boundary Line,” a senior home ministry official said.

“Security of the coastline is vital for the country as there are nuclear plants, sea ports, satellite and missile launching centres, naval, oil and defence installations and important sea lanes,” the official added.