Security tightened in Goa, says CM

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-12-05
PANAJI — The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Thursday said the state government has beefed up the security in the state following the terror threat as perceived by the national intelligence, and would leave no stone unturned to provide security to the tourists arriving in the state for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“The Chief Secretary has been directed to review the security in the state on day-to-day basis, and bring any unusual activity to my notice, immediately,” he added.
Addressing a press conference in the presence of the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik and the Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh, the Chief Minister said the police have already undertaken combing operations all around the state, besides stringent checks at hotels, colleges and the Goa University.
“We are not taking any chances, even as far as the students from outside the country are concerned, and are confirming their details,” he added.
Furthermore, we are screening all the vehicles entering the state, and would deploy more police, if needed, at the check posts on the state boundaries, Mr Kamat informed.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister said the IGP, Mr Kishen Kumar is presently attending a meeting addressed by the Union home secretary, in New Delhi and would be putting forward the requirement of the state as regards coastal security, in this meeting.
The Chief Minister also informed that the recent meeting of the state cabinet has decided to raise a new India Reserve Battalion, adding that the training of the 1,100-odd fully armed members of the IRB would start soon. He maintained that the Centre has raised the fund for such battalions in the state from the existing Rs 4 crore to Rs 34 crore, adding, “However, the state needs to provide land for locating the battalions.”
Reacting to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand to call a special assembly session for discussing the state security, Mr Kamat said that such session would only result in discussions and talks, rather than any concrete action.
“And the government is already in the process of strengthening the state security,” he pointed out.