Odisha steps up vigilance on sea to prevent illegal entry from Bangladesh

The Odisha government has stepped up vigil along its 480-kilometer coastline to prevent influx of people from turmoil hit Bangladesh, a senior police officer said.

The state is located about 200 kilometres away from the Bangladesh coast.

People from Bangladesh used to (illegally) enter Odisha using small boats. According to information received through different channels, it is learnt that many criminal elements have come out of jails during the unrest in Bangladesh. Those elements may try to sneak into India, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Sanjay Kumar, said.

The priority is to check the entry of such people into India, he said.

We have put our 18 marine police stations on high alert. The ADG coastal security has opened a control room and the state has deployed all employees, boats and other equipment at strategic locations, Kumar said.

The additional director general of police (coastal security) has been in touch with the Coast Guard and Navy, he said.

K