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.
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
