SECURITY WELL ARRANGED FOR DIWALI FESTIVAL IN GOA

PANJIM: The state authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in any part of the state during the Diwali celebrations which begin with the burning of Narkasur effigies during the night intervening Thursday-Friday.

The steps taken include strict surveillance at some vulnerable places besides deploying some reserve police forces from the central pool.

The state Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, who chaired the meeting of top police and other senior officials at the secretariat on Wednesday to review security arrangements in view of the festive season and influx of tourists during Diwali holidays, said that strict instructions have been issued to police and other officials to take steps to prevent any incident in any part of the state.

Taking a cue from last year’s bomb blast on the eve of Diwali at Margao in which two Sanathan Sanstha activists (alleged plotters of the crime) were killed, the police officials have been directed to maintain extra vigil and take precautionary measures to prevent occurrence of similar incidents. Though no preventive arrests have been made vigil is being maintained by the police on suspected elements.

Mr Naik informed ‘The Navhind Times’ that besides the cities, the district police officials have been told to maintain vigil on the beaches. He further said that the police have also been told to strengthen its intelligence network for preventing crimes.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Ravindra K Yadav said that police are taking all precautions to prevent attacks similar to the one that occurred in Margao on Diwali eve last year, and that additional force from central reserve police pool has been deployed in both the districts of the state.

The police have deployed plain-clothed police personnel and anti-sabotage units at all places where Narkasur contests and floats would be held. The organisers of floats have been told to strictly adhere to time limit imposed by the authorities and ensure that the contests get over in time. Besides, various schemes have been chalked out to ensure trouble-free celebrations.

The Home Minister also directed the tourism department officials to install high mast lights at various beaches where these lights do not exist at the moment so as to illuminate the beaches during nights for the benefit of tourists. This will also help the police maintain vigil on the beaches and prevent any untoward incident. (NT)