PAC to govt: Give powers of investigation, arrests and seizure to Coast Guard

 In view of an increased security threat through sea route, Centre must enact a suitable law to empower Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to investigate, arrest individuals and seize vessels if required, stated a report which was tabled by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament on Tuesday.

committee ted that ICG has been designated as authority responsible to coordinate coastal security in territorial waters.

It observed that at present, Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Ecomic Zone and Or Maritime Zones Act, 1976 -- which is implemented by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) -- does t designate any authority that can investigate and arrest individuals and seize vessels that undertake any criminal or anti-national activity.

PAC ted that MEA has been repeatedly stating aforementioned law is t appropriate instrument for such power to be authorised to ICG and Indian Navy as it only defines and extends maritime zones of India.

"In wake of increased security threat to nation through sea, committee desire that Ministry of Defence should earnestly bring to tice of appropriate authorities to enact suitable law so as to empower and strengn ICG to investigate and arrest individuals, and seize vessels and carrying out criminal and anti-national activities" PAC report stated.