Fishermen Who Saved Thousands Of Lives During 2018 Kerala Floods Will Now Guard State As Coastal Policemen

During the catastrophic 'flood of the century' that hit Kerala in 2018, the biggest difference makers were the fishermen of the state.

As almost the entire state was under water they came in their hundreds, tagging along with their simple fishing boats and proved to the difference between life and death for millions who were stranded in their homes which were cut off due to the flood waters.??

BCCL/ FILE

The fishermen who had no formal training in saving lives or disaster management acted like a well-trained force, reaching to remote places where NDRF and Navy boats could not reach. They brought millions to safety and also provided food and other essential supplies to others.

BCCL/ FILE

For their selfless service, the whole state came together to salute them and the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called them Kerala's own army.

Now almost a year after their heroic act, the Kerala fishermen have officially become a part of the force.

CMO Kerala/ Facebook

A total of 177 fishermen from Kerala's coastal areas have been inducted into the Kerala Police.

The fishermen who underwent training in various aspects of policing will now be a part of Kerala's Coastal Police.

On Saturday, they were officially inducted into the force in the presence of CM Vijayan.

CMO Kerala/ Facebook

According to the Chief Minister, the newly inducted coastal policemen were given training in survival skills and saving lives in the seas under the Coast Guard, Navy and Fire and Rescue Services. Other than rescue operations, the Coastal Police will also be given the additional task of safeguarding the Kerala coast and will have to watch out for suspicious movement of boats in the sea.

BCCL/ FILE

It was in 2017, following the Cyclone Ockhi where the fishermen were actively involved in rescue operations the Kerala government first proposed to use their expertise in the sea. It further got a push last year after the unprecedented efforts by the fishermen during the devastating floods in Kerala.

Over 3000 youth applied for the job, of which 180 were selected through a rigorous selection process by a panel.