In view of the terror strikes in Paris, security cover will be stepped up across Goa as the coastal state is set to host the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the tourist season gets underway, luring visitors from all over the world.
Besides beefing up security at the IFFI venue, intelligence gathering would be enhanced and the state’s Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) kept on high alert, Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg said.
“The terror strike in Paris is a lesson for all of us. We are deploying 527 additional policemen in view of the tourist season and IFFI,” Mr. Garg said.
“We are having a meeting with all police officers above the rank of Police Inspector, where they will be sensitised about preventing and handling such situations,” he added.
Goa draws over half-a-million foreign tourists during the tourist season and is seen as a safe destination with visitors from Russia, Israel and Britain coming in large numbers.
Besides tourist arrivals and IFFI, the state would also play host to the annual feast of St Francis Xavier, which is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from November 23 to December 3.
IFFI is scheduled to be held here from November 20 to 30.
