By  Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 10:  Goa's Parliamentarian Shantaram Naik has demanded for an international action mechanism to meet the increasing threat of hijacking of ships by pirates.

In a letter faxed to the Union Minister of Defence, today Naik has said that the Central Government has recently passed a bill to amend the Merchant and Shipping Act.

"The government through the amendments incorporated therein, have provided for further and better safety of passengers and have also provided for better service conditions for them. However, there is no provisions to safeguard the interest of seafarers against piracy," he says.

Naik has further said that there is also a Maritime Policy drafted some years back by the Union Ministry of Shipping, Roads ,Transport and Highways which is yet to be finalized. However, there is no mention of piracy even in the said policy.

"Not only our laws and policies must address the issues of piracy but also, that the Government of India, should take an initiative for a world mechanism for action on permanent basis to meet such situations," he added.

The Rajya Sabha MP further said that world community should not look to be helpless against terrorists on land and air and, pirates on High Seas. "There is also a Convention of Indian Maritime Organisation on piracy but it has a very limited scope for co-operation among countries," Naik stated.

Naik has further said in his letter that seafarers and the members of their families are deeply concerned with the increasing cases of ships hijacking in the territorial waters of Somalia.