By IANS,
Panaji : A few hundred miles from terror-besieged Mumbai, authorities in Goa are beefing up security at the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), currently underway here.
Speaking to reporters here Thursday morning, state chief secretary J.P. Singh said Goa is on alert.
“We have asked the police to assess the situation in light of the terror attacks in Mumbai,” he said.
Police sources informed that Goa too has a high density of starred hotels and foreign tourists at present and they were preparing for the worst. “IFFI alone has several hundred foreign delegates. Improving the security cover is our priority,” a senior police official said.
Speaking to reporters Superintendent of Police (CID) Atmaram Deshpande said that the twin festival venues will have full proof security.
“We have issued special instructions to our forces posted there. They have been asked to remain vigilant,” Deshpande said, adding that two companies of central para military units were already in place.
The police have beefed up the security of starred hotels around the IFFI venue, where several delegates are stations. “All hotels have been asked to set up metal barricades and policemen are now assisting the staffers in screening the guests,” Deshpande said.
Sources in the tourism department informed that there were more than 15,000 foreign tourists in the state at the moment.
Meanwhile, the Goa police have put the India Reserve Battalion into action placing them at various tourist hot spots along the popular northern coast of Goa, especially around areas like Dona Paula, Calangute, and the like.
“We issued instructions last night itself to ensure, that the policemen and the citizens in the tourist belt are safe,” Deshpande said.
Mumbai saw an audacious terror attack where terrorists went on the rampage, killing at least 101 people and injuring over 250 since Wednesday night. On target were high profile landmarks, including the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Metro Theatre and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) railway station. The terror siege continued well into Thursday.