Team Herald
PANJIM: Despite being frequently visited by dignitaries with Z-plus category security cover, Goa does not have its own bulletproof vehicles.
The fully-guarded four-wheelers, which are mandatory for the security of the VVIPs, have to be borrowed from either Maharashtra or Karnataka. Last weekend the State police was put to an embarrassment when they had to get a bullet-resistant vehicle from Maharashtra as part of the convoy of Seychelles President Danny Faure during his Goa visit.
Highly placed sources in the Home Department revealed that a proposal for purchase of two bullet-resistant vehicles for Goa has finally got administrative approval and been sent for financial sanction. The cost of the two vehicles is estimated at around Rs 1.25 crore.
When contacted Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh said they have submitted a proposal to buy these vehicles and it is being actively considered by the government.
While the IGP refused to elaborate further, another senior police officer said the vehicles are required considering that number of VVIPs visiting the State.
“Earlier hardly any VVIP arrived in Goa but in the current regime, many central ministers and dignitaries with Z-plus security cover come here on official or personal visits. That makes it mandatory for us to have at least one bulletproof vehicle,” the source said.
However, no official from the government is willing to disclose specifications of the vehicles to be procured citing security reasons.
Though in the highly secure persons’ list, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during his tenure as Union Defence minister never travelled in a bulletproof vehicle. He continues to get Z plus security cover in the State but travels in his official car.
Others, including Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, who also has Z-plus security, have to get the vehicle from Maharashtra which travels to Goa a day before their arrival in Goa. Gadkari is amongst the union ministers who frequently visit the State.
In the last couple of years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah have also visited the State to address public meetings. Police officials said the PM has his dedicated fleet of vehicles including his bulletproof car during his travels anywhere in the country.
