The Goa Police on Saturday deployed anti-terror squad and reserve units across popular tourist areas of the State after receiving inputs about possible terror attempts by Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba along the North Goa beach belt on New Year’s eve.
The Director General of Police Muktesh Chander confirmed receiving “specific intelligence inputs” to The Hindu , but declined to elaborate on them.
“Special security arrangements have also been made to secure areas which see a high density of tourists on New Year’s Eve,” Mr. Chandar said, adding that the police has taken adequate measures.
Police sources said that security has been beefed up especially in Anjuna, Calangute, and Baga beach areas, which host a majority of New Year’s eve parties.
Sources also said that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar was briefed about the Central intelligence agencies’ inputs on Saturday afternoon, however, Mr. Parsekar claimed that there is no terror threat.
“Our police department is in touch with the Central Home agencies and there is no threat alert or anything of that kind,” Mr. Parsekar said.
He said the advisory issued by Israel government on Friday — cautioning its citizens about travelling to India on account of the threats — is a routine exercise. When asked if the tourism would be affected, Mr. Parsekar said he does not foresee anything adverse.
