Fishermen's vigilance network left adrift amid official apathy

Time of India

5 hours ago

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kadalora Jagratha Samithis (KJS)—community vigilance groups formed with local fishermen to strengthen coastal security—have become largely inactive due to the indifference of the coastal police in sustaining the initiative.
Launched to enhance surveillance along the coast, the KJS enlisted 1,865 trained fishermen as volunteers across the district's 42km shoreline. The coastal stretch was divided into zones, and 94 WhatsApp groups were created to facilitate real-time communication between fishermen and police.
Initially, the initiative garnered enthusiastic participation. Fishermen attended regular meetings and training sessions, often sacrificing their daily fishing income.
However, interest has significantly declined. Today, fewer than 50 members remain active. Many have stopped attending meetings, citing broken promises by the authorities.
Key incentives—including an honorarium of Rs 1,000 per meeting, identity cards, and allowances—were never fulfilled. Currently, members receive only Rs 100 per meeting, which volunteers and police alike agree is inadequate.
"We requested the department to increase it to Rs 1,000.
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It would help cover a day's lost earnings and support their families," said a coastal police officer.
Despite the setbacks, the value of the KJS was evident when a tip-off from a KJS member led to the seizure of 300kg of heroin from a Sri Lankan vessel off the Vizhinjam coast, in a joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and coastal police. Fishermen received training from the coastal police on appropriate actions to take.
This included instructions on how to approach abandoned substances found floating on the sea or shore, and how to deal with the suspicious presence of both strange and familiar individuals.
Each WhatsApp group is monitored by coastal police officers, with information relayed using predefined alert codes. Once a message is sent, the group admin alerts patrol teams to respond swiftly.
The samithis are intended to meet monthly to review security incidents and plan future strategies. Key insights from these meetings are shared during weekly intelligence briefings at coastal police stations and the station house officer forwards a report to the coastal inspector general.
Many volunteers remain committed to the mission. "I serve the nation, not for money. But if the promised support is provided, it would motivate us to stay active," said Siddique M, a KJS member.