‘Pulicat police station fails to stop smuggling’

Fishermen residing in coastal hamlets in and around Pulicat claim that the new coastal police station that was inaugurated by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami a few months ago is acutely understaffed with just two police personnel. As a result, the villagers claim that several illegal activities including smuggling of illicit liquor, rare marine life and other contraband continue unabated along the shores.

Interestingly, the old Pulicat marine police station built several decades ago and located right on the shore has been used by the smugglers as a preferred transit point after it remained unused by the police.

The Pulicat area known for its backwaters has over 44 fishing villagers where thousands of families live. The area, known for its Dutch heritage, also boasts of some of the earliest police stations in Tamil Nadu built mainly to protect the trading interests of the traders.

Owing to its proximity to Andhra Pradesh, several fishermen from the neighbouring state also use these waters to do fishing resulting in frequent skirmishes between fisherfolk from the two states.

After smuggling activities increased along the interstate border near Pulicat, the locals made a representation to then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for a new coastal police station that could put an end to the rampant smuggling and other illegal activities. “The Chief Minister immediately agreed to our demand and sanctioned a new coastal police station for our area. The building was constructed at a cost of Rs 35 lakhs but could not be inaugurated as CM Jayalalithaa passed away by then,” said Kumar Raja, a resident of Pulicat area.

After the fishermen made another plea to the state government, Chief Minister Palaniswamy inaugurated the new police station in June 2018 bringing relief to the fishermen. “But the new police station has just two personnel and is empty most of the days. It really has not helped us in anyway,” said another fisherman.

The locals claim that just two policemen would not be able to curb the smuggling activities which often takes place in the open waters. According to them, smuggling of PDS rice and other food items, hybrid prawns, red worms are among some of the goods that are being smuggled out. Liquor from Andhra Pradesh is also being smuggled into the state through this marine route, according to them.

The villagers demand that dedicated inspector, sub-inspectors and other staff be appointed to curb the illegal activities going on in the area.

According to a senior police official, there is a general shortage of staff and Coastal Security Wing also faces the same problem. “We are working on to fill the gaps and hope to get more people for the Marine stations soon,” the official said told DT NEXT.