A security cover has been thrown along South Goa’s coast line between Utorda and Mobor and pockets in Canacona taluka in view of the ensuing Christmas and New Year festivities.
Deployment of security personnel was completed all along the coastal belt on Wednesday and the arrangements will remain in place till January 5, 2010.
Bunkers have been set up at many places along the beach and the same will be manned by armed CISF personnel from Wednesday, disclosed Superintendent of Police, South Allan de Sa.
The SP, South and Margao Sub-Divisional Police Officer, DySP Umesh Gaonkar visited the beach stretch between Utorda and Mobor to personally supervise the deployment of security personnel.
“We have deployed a total of four companies of CISF and local police not only on the beach, but to maintain security and nakabandis at major traffic junctions in the State”, SP De Sa informed Herald.
He said the Goa police interceptor boat – which is expected to continuously patrol the sea coast – would provide sea cover against any infiltration from the sea. “The interceptor can cover the distance between Utorda to Mobor within 11 minutes. Besides, the police manning the beach have been told in clear terms to maintain any vigil against any vessel approaching the coast”, he added.
The SP, South said the police has drawn up a security plan for venues holding Christmas midnight mass in the district. “Anti-sabotage check will be carried out all venues having midnight mass in the open. Besides, metal detectors would be installed at the entry points to the venue”, he added.
Replying to a question, the SP said that though no specific terror threat has been received by the police this time, the precautionary measures are adopted to ensure that nothing is left to chance.
The district police have already received two companies of CISF personnel, which were deployed in the city and have now been moved to the coastal belt. The Railway Protection Force has also beefed up security at the Margao and other railway stations in the state. Additional police reinforcements from the RPF have been requisitioned to meet the requirements. At the Margao railway station, a total of three bunkers have been erected as a precautionary measure.
[Source]
