Major Security lapse in Islands: Islanders under threat Mockery of Coastal Security measures; More than 15,000 KGs of Explosives left unguarded near Sea Shore Port Blair, Aug 11: Following an alert sounded by IB regarding Coastal Intrusion Threat, the Andaman and Nicobar Police, Andaman Nicobar Command and all other security agencies kept these Islands under high alert. A series of coastal security measures were taken by A & N Police but there was a major lapse. According to details gathered by Andaman Express, more than 15,000 KGs of explosives have been kept unattended by A & N Police and APWD that too at the sea shore area. In case of any terrorist attack, terrorists can easily use this huge amount of explosives to blow off entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to highly placed sources, 4000 kg of explosives (which belong to APWD), 10,000 kg of Ammonium Nitrate, 500 Gelatin Sticks and nearly 3000 Electronic Detonators were seized by A & N Police during explosive seizure case a few years back. As the A & N Police has no place to store these explosives, these were handed over to APWD. The APWD inturn shifted all the explosives to its Barud Godown, Store Room, which is located very close to Sea Shore area. One can easily understand the seriousness of high security measures with the fact that these explosives are being guarded by only cattles and dogs. Neither there is any guard from Andaman and Nicobar Command nor Police Department. To guard these highly explosive substances, the APWD did not even posted private security guards. The lonely and dilapidated godown, is situated in a remote location, which is frequented by gamblers and drunkards. Broken liquor bottles fallen all around the godown tells how safe these explosives are. The area also serves as an open toilet block for people living nearby. As per rules, Explosives must be kept in a location which is away from inhabited areas but it is found that people have encroached lands close to the godown and in case of explosion in the godown, there will be very high causality. One wonders that what is the need of posting armed Jawans at Secretariat, Raj Niwas and DC office gate when such important godown full of explosives have been kept unguarded. Public now question that what the Andaman and Nicobar Police is doing in this regard? Why such security lapse? Why can’t the Police Department keep such explosive material in some safe area?
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:15:39 +0000