Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major security review, Goa Police have decided to change ‘wireless call signages’ of all the VIPs and its officers across the State. Incidentally, the move comes in the wake of ISIS letter threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Similarly, in a fresh order, security personnel to the Governor, ministers, legislators and VIPs have been instructed to undergo physical fitness training every weekend.
“The list of codes used by the security agencies will undergo complete change. It is the needs of the hour as there is always a risk the code words could be leaked by tapping the wireless sets, and especially when Goa is often on the terror radar,” a senior police officer told Herald seeking anonymity.
Some of the senior officers, already brainstorming on new security codes, are also contemplating setting up mechanisms to ensure the wireless conversations are not hacked.
While this process is underway and will be implemented in the next few weeks, security personnel to VIPs will now compulsorily undergo fitness training every Saturday.
Meanwhile, security agencies in the State have insisted that Parrikar should accept Z security while in Goa in view of the alleged ISIS threat letter. Though the police prima facie rule out the letter was actually sent by the terror group, an officer said the department has to ensure watertight security to the Union minister during his stay in Goa.
The officer disclosed that Parrikar, during his recent visit to Goa, was requested to accept the security cover. “We have requested him to take Z security cover as he has been entitled through the central list being the defence minister of the country. We are establishing the veracity of the letter but security cover to VIPs, Union ministers and others entitled for it cannot be compromised at any cost,” the officer said.
