Team Herald
PORVORIM: Stating that Goa continues to remain an important target for the terrorism, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday told the House that the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Goa police are keeping close watch on the people who flow down to the coastal state from ISIS terror conflict zones as a precautionary measures.
“ATS is tracking down the foreigners who have flown here from conflict zones infested by ISIS terror. We are also monitoring the online activity through social media so that there is no indoctrination,” Parsekar said informing the House that a close watch is been maintained on the people from Syria, Iran and even from Jammu and Kashmir.
“As per our intelligence inputs, Goa continued to remain an important target for terrorism” he said.
Chief Minister was speaking on the private member resolution moved by Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane “to have well trained Anti-Terrorist Squad due to the present world situation of terrorism.” The resolution, supported by all legislators across party line, was unanimously adopted by the House.
Parsekar said intelligence wing of ATS is keeping track on radical organisations which are banned in the country. “ATS’ Intelligence wing has been keeping a close watch on the migrants and tenants, and also is having periodical inspection of the registered and unregistered tenants,” he stated.
Chief Minister informed the House that ATS has put ban on paragliding in the State after it was revealed that an terrorist took paragliding training in Goa.
The Chief Minister said the mock drills are regularly conducted with other security agencies to have better understanding with them. “The process has begun to procure bullet proof jackets and helmets for the ATS staff,” he said.
Parsekar said “there cannot be a full proof solution on this issue but people in general will have to be made aware about their responsibilities.”
Former chief minister Rane moving the resolution suspected the possibility of having sleeper cell in the State. “Terrorism has become order of the day. We find that most unsuspecting places are being attacked. We can’t be sleeping. We are tourist state,” the Leader of Opposition said.
“ISIS has been recruiting youth. There are lot of youth who are going to Syria. We don’t want to be pray to such situation,” he added.
Rane recalled sometimes back there was attempt in Goa by a group to indoctrine few individuals in his constituency by holding close door meetings, but people had shooed them away.
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza admitted that State’s borders are porous and it is the reason for real worry. “There is a big threat to Goa. Terrorists have lived here and gone in the past. There cannot be a full proof security but we can do a lot,” he said.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo demanded that ATS should be stationed in the coastal belt of North Goa where foreigners frequent more.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte informed House how an Russian website portray Goa as ‘their preferred destination for drug trade, business and sex trade due to low policing and administration’.
Legislators including Nilesh Cabral, Siddharth Kunkolienkar, Francisco Pacheco, Glenn Ticlo and Lavoo Mamledar also spoke on the resolution.
