Context: Recently, the Indian Coast Guard conducted 'Operation Sajag,' a Coastal Security Drill along the Western Coast.

About Operation Sajag

• It is a coastal security drill conducted by the Indian Coast Guard along the west coast.

• It involved all stakeholders of the Indian coastal security construct.

• A total of 118 ships, including those from Customs, Marine Police, Ports, and the Indian Navy, participated in the drill.

• The drill facilitates revalidation of the coastal security mechanism and brings awareness among the fishermen at sea.

• During the drill, extensive checking and verification of documents and crew passes of all fishing boats, barges and craft at sea was undertaken.

• Biometric card readers have also been issued to security agencies.

• Besides monitoring of dhows, island security and community interaction programmes have been institutionalised under the coastal security construct.

• Several measures have been implemented to strengthen coastal security-issuance of biometric cards for fishermen, color-coding of fishing boats by state, staffing of fish landing centers, access control at entry/exit checkpoints, coastal mapping, designation of specific marine band frequencies for security agencies, and marine police training by the Indian Coast Guard.

Key Facts about the Indian Coast Guard

• It is an armed force that protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

• History: it was formally established in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent armed force of India.

• Parent ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Defence.

• Administration: The organisation is headed by the Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG).

• HQ: New Delhi

Missions of Indian Coast Guard

• Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations.

• Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea.

• Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control.

• Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.