Bhubaneswar, Feb 6: Three Marine Police Stations in Kendrapara district, set up in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, are virtually defunct as only 37 personnel are at present working in them as against a requirement of 303 personnel.
There is also dearth of anti- terrorist elementary warfare and rescue equipment.
Only twice a year naval exercises are done, other than that there is no policing throughout the year, sources said.
Out of the three police stations one is working, situated at about five km from the nearest boat jetty with no communication roads for it, even for a two- wheeler, the other two’s condition is pitiable.
81 general police staff in each police station comprising one Inspector, six sub-inspectors, six Assistant Sub-Inspector, 162 Havildars, 48 Constables, four others among 20 Naval officials(retired), four masters, seven divers, three assistants, six serangs, making a total of 101 in each station and total of 303 in the three police stations but only 37 officials are present in all.
In Jambu Police Station maximum 10 general police, 19 marine staff are there from which three have gone to Puri during Nabakalebar event and have never returned . Since, it has an Interceptor boat the only one in the district and was berated nearer to the boat jetty before, but has been shifted now to a cyclone shelter five km away from the jetty and has no road for communication posing questions how the officials would defend in case of an emergency.
While Talachua Police Station has 10 general police, Tantiapal has only five police staff.
