A day later the Raj Bhavan was re-opened for visitors, but that does not diminish the security reasons concerns that have been raised. The security reasons are not because there is a threat perception to the Governor of Goa, but for Malik, whose strong action against the terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir, when the State was under President’s Rule for over a year, have made him a target. Malik’s swearing in has also converted the Governor’s residence into a fortress once again.
The development brings backs memories of the time from 2004 to 2008 when S C Jamir was the Governor of Goa. He too had a huge convoy of Z+ security. The former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Jamir’s convy was struck by militants, but he escaped unhurt. The militants, suspected to be from NSCN (IM), hurled grenades at the convoy carrying Jamir and his wife to Upper Assam from Mokokchung. It was the fourth attempt on the life of the veteran political leader from Nagaland. Earlier, the Naga rebel group NSCN-IM, which is now in truce with the Government of India, made three abortive attempts of his life. Jamir maintained a very strong stand against continuing insurgency in Nagaland, while he was the Chief Minister of the State.
After the attack on Jamir’s life his security in Goa was hiked three-fold, which meant the State had to pay three times more for his security personnel. He had Z+ security. Now, a decade later, we have another Governor who comes from a troubled area – Jammu and Kashmir.
Soon after Malik was sworn in, Goa’s Tourism department, which was coordinating tourist tours to the Raj Bhavan, on Tuesday posted a notice on its website saying the Raj Bhavan would be ‘closed to visitors for six months due to security reasons’. Malik was very clear on the day of his swearing in that he has come to Goa to relax in the peaceful State. “I have come from Kashmir which is known to be a very problematic place. I have successfully handled all the issues there. Now it (Goa) is a peaceful and good place which has been progressing,” Malik had said.
Malik was Governor of Jammu and Kashmir when Article 370, which accorded special status to the erstwhile State, was abrogated, and the State was bifurcated into the two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. He has a very high threat from terror organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaiesh-e-Mohhammed. Now then, we have another Governor with Z+ security, which has a security cover of 55 personnel (including 10+ NSG commandos), besides (police personnel). The Z+ level of security is provided by the National Security Guard commandos, armed with Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns and modern communication equipment, and each member of the team is adept in martial arts and unarmed combat skills.
Goa is considered to be one of the most peaceful of States and lakhs of tourists throng the place annually for peace of mind and hospitality. Now, with personalities who have a high threat perception being posted in the peaceful State of Goa, isn’t the Central government risking lives of people of Goa and also the tourists who visit the State? Instead of sending persons with high threat to a State that relies heavily on tourism, the Centre should have thought of posting him to some other place, maybe even his own State, rather than risking the lives of the citizens of our peaceful State.
