TV
While the Odisha government is trying its best to prevent intrusion into the State through sea routes and curb criminal activities, Very High Frequency (VHF) radio sets illegally set up at several houses in coastal villages under Rajnagar and Mahakalapada blocks of Kendrapara district have raised security concerns along the Odisha coast.
Take the case of Ratapanga village under Mahakalapada block in the district. VHF radio sets have been installed in almost all the houses in the villages. According to experts, VHF radio sets are used to keep vigil on intruders and criminal activities. It is mainly used by police and Coast Guards. However, a question is being raised as to why VHF radio sets are installed in several houses in the area.
Some local residents have demanded that installation of VHF radio sets should not be allowed in residential houses.
“There should be a curb on the individuals who are installing VHF radio sets in their houses. It is a threat to our area and country as well,” said Hemant Raut, Secretary of Turtle Security Committee.
“Safety and security of Odisha coast is under threat. VHF radio sets installed in houses should be stopped immediately,” said Pradeep Nayak, a local resident.
Experts are of the opinion that mobile networks are not accessible in the deep sea. In that case, VHF radio sets are used for communication. However, there is no legal provision for any individual to use the technology without taking permission from the administration. However, it is widely used by the Bangla-speaking people residing in coastal villages under Rajnagar and Mahakalapada blocks in the Kendrapara district.
The Central Security Force had recently expressed its concern over the development during a turtle security awareness camp held at Sasanpeta.
Further questions have been raised on who gave permission to the residents of the area to install VHF radio sets in their houses. If those sets have been installed without the knowledge of the administration, then what could be the purpose behind it? Are the fishermen, who have ventured into the deep sea for illegal fishing activities, being informed about the patrolling of the Forest Department via VHF radio sets? Are illegal Bangladeshi intruders being helped via VHF radio sets? Isn’t secret information about India getting leaked to the enemies through the system?
Amid various doubts and possibilities, Kendrapara SP Siddharth Kataria said that necessary action will be taken following a joint investigation with the Forest Department.
“We will carry out a joint investigation into the incident with the Forest Department and take necessary steps as per the provision in law,” said Kataria.
Though emphasis was given to national and internal security, coastal security and curbing illegal intrusion in the last DGP-IG conference in Odisha, the administration seems to be in deep slumber over the matter.
