PANJIM: The threat perception to the upcoming BRICS summit in Goa has increased following the surgical strikes carried out by India across the Line of Control (LoC). Goa Police said intelligence agencies have also raised an alarm that militants might strike. Some eight to 10 central police organisations will be in Goa to provide security cover along with Goa Police.
“After the surgical strikes on the border, intelligence agencies have raised an alarm that there might be strikes. After the surgical operation this is first international event due to which the scale of threat perception has increased. We are prepared keeping in mind this increased threat perception,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Vimal Anand Gupta said speaking to the media after a meeting of 3000 police staff. The BRICS summit is scheduled in South Goa on October 15-16.
He said the staff was briefed about the security perception, set up and their role during the summit. He also said that a special team of Goa Police was sent to Delhi to undergo training for the summit security.
“We had a meeting with various officers right from constables to superintendent level officers who are part of the summit and are involved in security arrangements. Our force is undergoing security drills required to be conducted for an event of such a scale,” he said.
“There are national and international practices that we follow to provide security cover for such an event. They were briefed about alertness, dress and knowledge for duty. They were told about what they should do and what they should not do,” Gupta said. “We also briefed them about the threat perception and how they should act in any circumstances. We informed them about the latest threats and kind of threats,” he added
He said Goa Police is coordinating at different levels with different agencies. Mock drills have been conducted and contingency plans prepared. The drills and rehearsals are currently going on, the DIG said. “IB has also informed us about known terrorists. We have also tied up with NSG for training. There are multiple agencies involved in it and we are coordinating very well,” Gupta added.
Out of the Goa Police strength of 6000, almost 5000 will be deployed for security at the BRICS summit, a senior police officer said. He said the crucial security region is the 42 kilometer road from the airport to various venues in South Goa.
He said that 8 to 10 central police organisations will be coming to Goa and will be stationed at all venues. The Central agencies include IB, SPG, NSG, BSF, CRPF, CSF etc. Besides them Karnataka and Maharashtra Police will also assist Goa Police.
The officer said that SP Mohan Naik has been given responsibility as venue commandant of Park Hyatt where most of the guests will be residing, SP Karthik Kashyap (IPS) has given charge of venue commandant of Leela and SP Chandan Chaudhary (IPS) of Taj Exotica where the main summit will be held, whereas SP Priyanka Kashyap (IPS) has given a charge of venue commandant at the airport.
