Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 26: Marking the solemn anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, Mumbai Police have significantly strengthened coastal surveillance by expanding the community-driven Sagar Rakshak network to its highest-ever strength. The number of registered coastal volunteers primarily fishermen, boatmen and maritime workers has surged from 549 last year to a record 1,851, forming 45 active teams across the coastline.

The city’s shoreline remains one of the nation’s most sensitive gateways. The 26/11 attackers had infiltrated Mumbai through the sea route, and explosives used in the 1993 serial blasts were similarly smuggled in. Despite advancements in weapons, patrol vessels and communication systems, police maintain that the lived experience of those who work at sea daily remains irreplaceable.

With this in mind, the Port Zone police intensified their outreach this year, engaging fishermen’s societies and maritime communities to expand the Sagar Rakshak cadre. The initiative added 1,302 new volunteers, each trained to promptly alert the Control Room or Port Zone upon spotting abandoned boats, unknown offshore activity or unauthorised vessels.

Since the end of the monsoon, the strengthened network has been actively relaying real-time alerts on mid-sea movement, illegal cargo transfers and suspected smuggling operations — a boost that authorities say has substantially enhanced early-warning systems along a coastline once exploited by terror operatives.

“Coastal security is extremely critical. This year, we registered 1,302 new volunteers. The expanded Sagar Rakshak force will remain a strong support system for the Mumbai Police,” said Vijaykant Sagar, DCP Port Zone.

Earlier this month, an alert from Sagar Rakshak fishermen enabled Mumbai Police to crack a major illegal mid-sea diesel transfer off Ferry Wharf. Shortly after midnight on November 6, volunteers noticed two barges positioned unusually close — Shri Anant Laxmi and MT Pranay — with faint lights, a motor pump and suspicious movement around 800 metres from the New Fish Jetty. Their immediate alert to Port Zone authorities set a swift crackdown into motion.

A team led by Constable Sikandar Anant Dolkar intercepted the vessels around 1.30 am and uncovered an unauthorised diesel-transfer operation. Police seized 9,700 litres of diesel-like liquid, a siphoning pipeline, a pump and both barges, collectively valued at ?4.59 crore.

An FIR was filed at Yellow Gate Police Station on November 7. Ten people — including barge masters, seamen, a helper and a driver — were arrested, while three others are still wanted. Investigators said the gang was procuring stolen diesel without licences and transferring it without safety measures. Police are now probing the wider network behind the operation.