Police begin combing operations

by SHAIKH JAMALUDDIN
Posted on 2008-12-04
PANAJI- In a bid to thwart any terror attack in the state, the Goa police have started combing operations at Calangute, Colva and all migrant-dominated areas in the state. They have also begun to screen resettlement places, and during the past 24 hours detained 55 persons in Calangute and 240 in Zuarinagar.
Disclosing this to 'The Navhind Times', the inspector-general of police, Mr Kishen Kumar said that this exercise has been undertaken in view of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.
The IGP said he reviewed security in the state during the last three days by travelling extensively throughout the state and visited various sensitive places like IFFI venue, Old Goa and coastal belt.
Stating that there has always been terror threat, Mr Kumar said the police are doing their best within limited resources to meet with any eventuality.
The Goa police had a joint meeting of the coastal police, the Coast Guard, the Navy and the marine police with the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat.
Going into the details of security measures adopted, he informed that a bomb disposal squad and an anti-terrorism squad are on the cards. The police are carrying out verification of tenants and domestic servants. Security at railway stations has also been steeped up and CCTVs have been installed.
Recently, collectors of both districts issued order making it compulsory to maintain some records of the tourists visiting hotels with identity proofs,
"We are not taking any chances and have demanded paramilitary forces (to be deployed) till December," Mr Kumar said.
On the surveillance along the coastal belt, he said that measures are being initiated to thwart any terror attack by terrorists, who may come through sea routes. He said big boats would be commissioned for surveillance but till then the police would requisition fishing trawlers to monitor movements of people on Mandovi and Zuari rivers
Observing that without police-public cooperation security would be a total failure, the IGP said the police have alerted all the sections of the society including hoteliers, lodge owners, fishermen, cyber café owners, religious heads of all the communities, tourists taxi owners.