TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: For the first time in a decade since Goa has been hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the 44th edition will reportedly be held without central para military security cover this year.
Police sources said that Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi has turned down Goa government’s proposal for 12 platoons of central industrial security force for the of the 10-day-long extravaganza, which will be followed by the Feast of St Francis Xavier on Dec 3.
Due to deployment of around 58-60 battalions of para military personnel – each platoon comprising around 1,000 personnel – for election duties at Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram, and naxal-hit states – Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh the request for paramilitary forces for IFFI has been rejected.
“The five states require numerous security personnel to ensure smooth conduct of the polls, which is why Goa won’t get central forces this year,” a source said. However no police officer was willing to confirm the news.
In view of this, Goa police has reportedly decided to mobilize majority of its staff strength for providing security cover with a number of big-wigs and several thousand delegates, guests and other visitors attending the festival.
“We will deploy our reserve forces like Indian Reserve Battalion and Goa Armed Police in addition to police foce. Traffic personnel and home guards would also be stationed at various crucial points to man the vehicular traffic…Quick Response Teams and patrolling teams will be a part of the team,” said an officer.
Dozens of CCTV cameras would be installed at the festival venues and all visitors will be thoroughly screened at the metal detectors set up at various points manned by the police. Police teams led by a senior officer will give security to the VIPs and VVIPs.
Meanwhile, Panjim police has issued notices to 19 persons, who were detained from Kingfisher Village during the last IFFI. The notice under section 149 CrPC issued by inspector Rajendra Prabhudesai reads, “This is to direct you to remain present at the police station on November 18 at 10 am, as there is apprehension that you will commit a cognizable offence.”
Traffic diversion for festival
PANJIM: This year, in a bid to manage traffic on Dayanand Bandodkar Marg during the opening and closing ceremony, the District Magistrate North Goa has ordered that all vehicular traffic from Bal Bhavan to Ferry Wharf will be closed for general public on November 20 and November 30. Only vehicles with passes issued by ESG will be allowed to ply on this stretch of road.
Other changes include vehicular traffic coming from D B Marg from KTC side will be diverted at ferry point towards Police HQ to take road via printing Press, St Inez, Caculo Mall-Bal Bhavan; the stretch of Dr Pissurlekar road from the corner of Menezes Braganza Hall to Police HQ main gate will be “No Parking” zone and the Inox lane (General Bernard Guedes Road) will be temporarily closed during IFFI.
Subsequent to the repeated flak drawn every year about garbage management, the CCP is also working out rules to manage the garbage generated by the food stalls at IFFI 2013.
