GUWAHATI, July 26 - Assam Police is soon to going to receive a major shot in the arm with it all set to induct a fleet of highly-sophisticated Sillinger boats that could be pressed into action for combat and non-combat operations, especially along the Indo-Bangla riverine border.
Sillinger boats, which are used by armed forces across the world, would be deployed with trained operators. Assam shares the riverine border stretch of 110 kilometres with Bangladesh.
Top Assam Police sources told The Assam Tribune that as many as 70 Sillinger boats would be procured as part of its upgrading exercise in the first phase. Each boat will come with a payload capacity of 1,100 kilograms.
�Sillinger boats are inflatable and would allow fast movement for the armed forces on the riverine areas. Along with that, it could be deployed for a wide range of missions, including rescue and search operations,� sources said, adding that the underwater current of the river Brahmaputra and other tributaries too have been kept in consideration.
Sources further informed that the Sillinger boats would also be equipped with GPS, radio and other navigation equipment.
�Once the boats are procured, a team of technicians would also be developed by the Assam Police,� sources pointed out.
�The procurement process is almost done and we are hopeful of getting the consignment within the current year,� sources stated.
The efficacy of riverine policing in Assam has always been questioned due to its poor infrastructure and shortage of manpower. River Police has also drawn flak from time to time for not attaching a single armed policeman.
River Police, which is primarily mandated to patrol the vulnerable Indo-Bangla riverine border routes, do not even have their presence in many districts. There are at present four river police stations and seven river outposts.
