PANJIM: Goa Police have finally got new sets of bulletproof jackets and helmets for its Anti-Terrorism Squad’s Quick Response Teams. Superintendent of Police Kartik Kashyap told reporters that the department has received 50 bullet proof vests and bullet proof helmets. 

The induction of the new protective gear was done after going through tests at Institute of Forensic Science Ballistic Research Centre and Testing Range of Gujarat Forensic Sciences University.

“The bullet proof jackets are of NIJ III+ protection level and bullet proof helmets are of NIJ IIIA protection level,” Kashyap added. The bullet proof jackets were supplied by AMPP Delhi and helmets by Calcutta Fabricactors in Kolkatta.

Kashyap said that the police department is in the process of procuring 10 bullet proof sentry post (morchas), 30 bullet proof shields and two bullet proof armoured vehicles for the ATS police personnel.

Herald last year had reported that with barely a dozen bulletproof vests and helmets at their disposal, Goa Police would be unprepared to tackle any major terror attack, though the State remains on high alert during the tourism high season between Christmas and New Year. Police stations in the coastal belt too do not have such protective gear.

With the fresh induction of bulletproof jackets and helmets, it remains to be seen if the State has to still depend on other States for the equipment as it falls short during major events when Goa witnesses lakhs of visitors, and the State borrows from its neighbours. 

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi and Gujarat are states from where the protective gear is usually borrowed.