IN TERROR SHADOW?
Port faces security threat, MPT tells govt
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Citing a security threat, Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has written to the state government asking that the Khariwada fishing jetty situated alongside the port be moved out of Vasco bay.
Sources in the state government said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal has written to the chief minister explaining why the fishing jetty needs to be moved out. “MPT continues to operate in an insecure regime which is likely to lead to disastrous consequences... It has become unacceptable to the central government to continue port operations with the looming security threat of the fishing jetty at arm’s length to the operational berths of MPT,” the government sources said.
When contacted, Agarwal refused to comment on the issue.
The recent terrorist attacks at Mumbai have brought to the fore the immediate necessity of shifting the Khariwada fishing jetty out of Vasco Bay or stopping its operations altogether, the sources quoted Agarwal as saying.
The letter, sent on December 6, also warned of an impact on the trade and commerce of Goa.
Referring to a secret report of
the Central Industrial Security Force dated December 4/5, in which there is information about the unauthorized entry of a fishing vessel into the port’s operational area on December 4, Agarwal said, “That an attempt to test the security of Khariwada jetty could be made soon after the Mumbai attacks shows the brazen approach of the enemies of the nation. It is obvious that attempts are being made by destructive forces to find vulnerable entry points in Goa from the sea side.”
Khariwada jetty is in close proximity to MPT’s berths 11 and 10. ENSURING SAFETY MEASURES
Jetty provides free access to port: MPT
Panaji: Reasoning that there is no way in which control can be exercised over the activities at Khariwada jetty towards ensuring the safety of Mormugao port and quoting various reports, MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal has written to the chief minister saying that “it is, therefore, extremely desirable that as requested by the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways, New Delhi; as mandated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) repeatedly; as recommended by the home ministry and other agencies from time to time; as directed by the high powered committee on implementing security measures; as directed by the director general, shipping, who are the auditors for ISPS (International Ships facility and Port Security Code) compliance for major ports; as directed by the various other committees and conferences from time to time; and as demanded by masters of merchant ships calling at MPT, the Khariwada jetty has to be shifted out of Vasco Bay”.
Sources in the state government said Agarwal sought the state’s cooperation in identifying an alternative site outside Vasco Bay, so that MPT can start the work of developing a new world class fishing jetty.
“It is also a well-known fact that the Khariwada area has a large number of migrants and people with dubious identities, and others who keep moving from place to place, and who have no proper identification. All these have free access to the Mormugao port through the K h a r i w a d a fishing jetty which abuts berth number 11,” the letter said. The letter added that MPT is facing a threat to the port’s compliance with the ISPS code with the continuance of the Khariwada fishing jetty.
“Failure of MPT to comply with the ISPS Code will ultimately bring shipping activities to a grinding halt in the Mormugao harbour, which again will have a serious detrimental impact on the trade and commerce of Goa,” the letter added.
December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Police ignored attack on me: Russian
Police ignored attack on me: Russian
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: A Russian investor in Goa has alleged that he was beaten up by a group of locals even as the police turned a blind eye.
Dan Sorokin, director of White Raj Resorts Pvt Ltd, which is reportedly an Indian company, said in a press conference on Friday that the company had bought about 1,10,037 sq m of land at Nagarcem village in Palolem in the year 2007, which is “now worth crores of rupees”.
On Sunday, December 7, he alleged that he and his friends were assaulted on the property by a group of around 15 people.
“I am in a position to identify the men, armed with a traditional Indian sword, knives and steel tubes. They hit me on the head and kept on beating me while I was on the ground. My friends saved my life, carrying me out of this ugly scene and also taking some beating. As a result, I sustained as many as 15 wounds from the steel bars. I had to be operated on my head, spending a while in the intensive care unit (ICU). “My friends also got injuries on the head. Some bones were also broken,” alleged Sorokin.
He further alleged that an attacker tried to break the spine of his girlfriend with an iron stick, but “fortunately she screamed, thus making the attacker hesitate and run away”.
“A police car brought us to the government hospital at Chaudi. However, they grabbed one of my innocent friends (also a Russian) and arrested him because he was conscious.
“One of the policemen who was dressed in civil clothes actually participated in this armed assault to our lives. No arrests are made up to now,” he alleged.
Suspecting that the motive for the attack on him is “a clash of economical interests”, Sorokin further alleged, “Before the assault, the chief gangster told me, ‘you are not at home, you are in India.”
“We have informed the Russian Consul General in Mumbai of the incident and it is taking steps. The behaviour of the police is shocking and unacceptable as they have not even bothered to inquire into the matter or take my statement even though a complaint was lodged soon after the incident,” alleged Sorokin.
Stating that they are not mafia, Sorokin added, “To call us Russian mafia is not fair. We don’t live on crime but earn our bread and butter with hard work.”
Police sources, on the other hand, told TOI on Friday that one Suraj Ballikar from Bali, Quepem has claimed that the property purchased by the Russians was sub-leased to him and that he is a claimant.
When on December 7 the Russians tried to construct a tent on the property, he is believed to have objected. Ballikar in his complaint to the police said that he was assaulted by five Russians, including Sorokin and that the police registered a case against the Russians for grievous assault, trespass and intimidation.
“Later the locals attacked the Russians, and one Victor lodged a counter complaint against the locals for forming unlawful assembly and wrongfully assaulting the foreigners,” police sources said.
SP (South) Allan de Sa said, “Cross complaints were registered and we have taken immediate action. Investigations are on. The fight was over a property dispute and we will inquire thoroughly into it.”
December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: A Russian investor in Goa has alleged that he was beaten up by a group of locals even as the police turned a blind eye.
Dan Sorokin, director of White Raj Resorts Pvt Ltd, which is reportedly an Indian company, said in a press conference on Friday that the company had bought about 1,10,037 sq m of land at Nagarcem village in Palolem in the year 2007, which is “now worth crores of rupees”.
On Sunday, December 7, he alleged that he and his friends were assaulted on the property by a group of around 15 people.
“I am in a position to identify the men, armed with a traditional Indian sword, knives and steel tubes. They hit me on the head and kept on beating me while I was on the ground. My friends saved my life, carrying me out of this ugly scene and also taking some beating. As a result, I sustained as many as 15 wounds from the steel bars. I had to be operated on my head, spending a while in the intensive care unit (ICU). “My friends also got injuries on the head. Some bones were also broken,” alleged Sorokin.
He further alleged that an attacker tried to break the spine of his girlfriend with an iron stick, but “fortunately she screamed, thus making the attacker hesitate and run away”.
“A police car brought us to the government hospital at Chaudi. However, they grabbed one of my innocent friends (also a Russian) and arrested him because he was conscious.
“One of the policemen who was dressed in civil clothes actually participated in this armed assault to our lives. No arrests are made up to now,” he alleged.
Suspecting that the motive for the attack on him is “a clash of economical interests”, Sorokin further alleged, “Before the assault, the chief gangster told me, ‘you are not at home, you are in India.”
“We have informed the Russian Consul General in Mumbai of the incident and it is taking steps. The behaviour of the police is shocking and unacceptable as they have not even bothered to inquire into the matter or take my statement even though a complaint was lodged soon after the incident,” alleged Sorokin.
Stating that they are not mafia, Sorokin added, “To call us Russian mafia is not fair. We don’t live on crime but earn our bread and butter with hard work.”
Police sources, on the other hand, told TOI on Friday that one Suraj Ballikar from Bali, Quepem has claimed that the property purchased by the Russians was sub-leased to him and that he is a claimant.
When on December 7 the Russians tried to construct a tent on the property, he is believed to have objected. Ballikar in his complaint to the police said that he was assaulted by five Russians, including Sorokin and that the police registered a case against the Russians for grievous assault, trespass and intimidation.
“Later the locals attacked the Russians, and one Victor lodged a counter complaint against the locals for forming unlawful assembly and wrongfully assaulting the foreigners,” police sources said.
SP (South) Allan de Sa said, “Cross complaints were registered and we have taken immediate action. Investigations are on. The fight was over a property dispute and we will inquire thoroughly into it.”
December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russia asks its citizens to reconsider Goa trip
RED FLAG
Russia asks its citizens
to reconsider Goa trip
Naik
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Concerned about the safety of their citizens holidaying in Goa, the Russian consulate has advised them to “reconsider their trips” to the state.
Sources in the government revealed that in a letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat, the Russian consul general in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky, said, “Unfortunately, the times seem to have changed. Concerned over the security in Goa that may endanger the safety and health of Russian tourists and the failure of the Goan police to keep the situation under control, the consulate general has advised them to reconsider their trips to this state.”
Though the letter sent on December 1 came after the Mumbai terror attack, government sources said the letter was also prompted by the taxi strike in Goa which inconvenienced many Russian tourists.
“The Russian consulate was concerned as it received complaints about taxi drivers making anti-Russian slogans, not letting Russian tourists go out of their hotels and stopping coaches,” said sources.
Confirming the receipt of the letter, chief secretary J P Singh said, “The Russian consulate has requested us to act as Russian tourists in Goa had complained to the consulate of harassment by taxi drivers. We have assured them all possible help. The CM had a meeting with tour operators and taxi drivers to arrive at a consensus. Now the tourism director is having further meetings to sort out the problem.” ‘Cancellation of trips due to credit crunch’
Panaji: Concerned for the safety of Russians, the Russian consulate in Mumbai has asked its citizens to reconsider their visit to Goa.
The Russian consulate’s advocate in Goa, Vikram Varma said, “The conduct of some taxi drivers during the strike has cast doubts on the safety of Russian tourists. Tourists in all countries are free to choose their mode of transport.” During the taxi strike in November, it was alleged by tourists and tour operators that taxi drivers had behaved in an uncouth manner with foreign tourists and blocked vehicles and roads.
Tour operators had lodged complaints with the police and a few taxi drivers had been held. It was alleged that coaches and vehicles had been stopped by taxi drivers at various places and most of the tourists affected were Russians. President of the Federation of Associations of Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers (FATTOD) Jeorge Fernandes says their grievance against Russian tourists is that they come on a tourist visa but engage in business, working as tourist guides in coaches.
Russians who do not understand English, prefer travelling in such coaches rather than taxis. However, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) vice-president Ernest Dias said, “The taxi drivers strike did cause inconvenience to our foreign clients and this has affected us. But the reason for cancellation of trips to Goa is due to the credit crunch, followed by the Mumbai blasts.
December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russia asks its citizens
to reconsider Goa trip
Naik
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Concerned about the safety of their citizens holidaying in Goa, the Russian consulate has advised them to “reconsider their trips” to the state.
Sources in the government revealed that in a letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat, the Russian consul general in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky, said, “Unfortunately, the times seem to have changed. Concerned over the security in Goa that may endanger the safety and health of Russian tourists and the failure of the Goan police to keep the situation under control, the consulate general has advised them to reconsider their trips to this state.”
Though the letter sent on December 1 came after the Mumbai terror attack, government sources said the letter was also prompted by the taxi strike in Goa which inconvenienced many Russian tourists.
“The Russian consulate was concerned as it received complaints about taxi drivers making anti-Russian slogans, not letting Russian tourists go out of their hotels and stopping coaches,” said sources.
Confirming the receipt of the letter, chief secretary J P Singh said, “The Russian consulate has requested us to act as Russian tourists in Goa had complained to the consulate of harassment by taxi drivers. We have assured them all possible help. The CM had a meeting with tour operators and taxi drivers to arrive at a consensus. Now the tourism director is having further meetings to sort out the problem.” ‘Cancellation of trips due to credit crunch’
Panaji: Concerned for the safety of Russians, the Russian consulate in Mumbai has asked its citizens to reconsider their visit to Goa.
The Russian consulate’s advocate in Goa, Vikram Varma said, “The conduct of some taxi drivers during the strike has cast doubts on the safety of Russian tourists. Tourists in all countries are free to choose their mode of transport.” During the taxi strike in November, it was alleged by tourists and tour operators that taxi drivers had behaved in an uncouth manner with foreign tourists and blocked vehicles and roads.
Tour operators had lodged complaints with the police and a few taxi drivers had been held. It was alleged that coaches and vehicles had been stopped by taxi drivers at various places and most of the tourists affected were Russians. President of the Federation of Associations of Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers (FATTOD) Jeorge Fernandes says their grievance against Russian tourists is that they come on a tourist visa but engage in business, working as tourist guides in coaches.
Russians who do not understand English, prefer travelling in such coaches rather than taxis. However, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) vice-president Ernest Dias said, “The taxi drivers strike did cause inconvenience to our foreign clients and this has affected us. But the reason for cancellation of trips to Goa is due to the credit crunch, followed by the Mumbai blasts.
December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa//No need for CBI probe in German girl case: Cops
No need for CBI probe in German girl case: Cops
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In an affidavit filed in the high court of Bombay at Goa, the Goa police submitted that “there has been no laxity in the investigation” and that it was “on account of non-cooperation of the complainant and the victim girl” that investigations were hampered in the alleged rape case of a minor German girl.
The police said that there was no case for handing over investigation to the CBI as it had been carried out in a proper manner and in accordance with the law.
SP (North) Bosco George in the affidavit submitted that “the response to the show cause notice is without prejudice to the submission that this court, in exercise of powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, cannot direct handing over investigation to the CBI unless the state has granted its consent”. No laxity in German girl probe: Cops
Panaji: The Goa police told the high court of Bombay in Goa that there has been no laxity on their part in investigations into the alleged rape of a minor German girl.
Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar had taken suo motu cognizance of the case in which a German woman had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually exploited by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren. The division bench in its order on November 21 had asked the state to reply as to why investigations shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI.
The police categorically stated that within 24 hours of the medical report and statement of the minor being recorded and received by the police, Rohit had been taken into custody.
The affidavit states that investigations were, “in accordance with law and without any fear or favour”. It also says though steps were taken to take Rohit into custody, he could not be apprehended. “Subsequently the victim refused to cooperate with the investigating agency and was not even prepared to make a statement or subject herself to a medical examination. The very factum of the incident of rape therefore could not be ascertained and under these circumstances, no further steps were taken to arrest Rohit,” the SP submitted in his affidavit.
“In the complaint there was no direct allegation of rape, but it was stated that Rohit had ‘apparently’ raped her. Further, in the report of the NGO, it is recorded from conversation with the victim that the victim had not informed her mother of any such incident of rape,” the affidavit also states.
It was further submitted that in view of the statement of the victim and medical report which disclosed that there was an old healed hymenal tear, Rohit had been taken into custody. “As soon as the commission of the crime was ascertained the police have taken Rohit into custody for further investigation.”
Further, the police also submitted that they have recorded a further statement from the girl in the presence of two representatives of an NGO, in which she was unable to provided details of the alleged rape. “She has further stated that she has not received any threat, either verbal or written, from any person. She also stated that she has no complaint against anybody and that she has repeatedly been stating the same,” it was submitted.
As regards the complaint against Warren, the police submitted that there was no “material available to proceed against Warren Alemao and on the contrary the victim had categorically stated that she does not know any person by the name of Warren Alemao.”
The police in its affidavit also gave a clean chit to the Education minister and said that there was no material to proceed against him as an abettor to the crime.
When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice A P Deshpande and Justice N A Britto on Wednesday, advocate general Subodh Kantak informed the court that he had filed an application seeking to correct two paragraphs in the order passed on November 21, in which statements were attributed to the state, stating that Rohit was absconding till November 4. Kantak submitted that Rohit had deposed before the police on November 1 prior to recording the girl’s statement by Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa.
Senior counsel Atmaram Nadkarni appearing for Rohit was granted a week’s time to file an affidavit as to why Rohit’s bail shouldn’t be cancelled.
December 11, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In an affidavit filed in the high court of Bombay at Goa, the Goa police submitted that “there has been no laxity in the investigation” and that it was “on account of non-cooperation of the complainant and the victim girl” that investigations were hampered in the alleged rape case of a minor German girl.
The police said that there was no case for handing over investigation to the CBI as it had been carried out in a proper manner and in accordance with the law.
SP (North) Bosco George in the affidavit submitted that “the response to the show cause notice is without prejudice to the submission that this court, in exercise of powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, cannot direct handing over investigation to the CBI unless the state has granted its consent”. No laxity in German girl probe: Cops
Panaji: The Goa police told the high court of Bombay in Goa that there has been no laxity on their part in investigations into the alleged rape of a minor German girl.
Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar had taken suo motu cognizance of the case in which a German woman had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually exploited by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren. The division bench in its order on November 21 had asked the state to reply as to why investigations shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI.
The police categorically stated that within 24 hours of the medical report and statement of the minor being recorded and received by the police, Rohit had been taken into custody.
The affidavit states that investigations were, “in accordance with law and without any fear or favour”. It also says though steps were taken to take Rohit into custody, he could not be apprehended. “Subsequently the victim refused to cooperate with the investigating agency and was not even prepared to make a statement or subject herself to a medical examination. The very factum of the incident of rape therefore could not be ascertained and under these circumstances, no further steps were taken to arrest Rohit,” the SP submitted in his affidavit.
“In the complaint there was no direct allegation of rape, but it was stated that Rohit had ‘apparently’ raped her. Further, in the report of the NGO, it is recorded from conversation with the victim that the victim had not informed her mother of any such incident of rape,” the affidavit also states.
It was further submitted that in view of the statement of the victim and medical report which disclosed that there was an old healed hymenal tear, Rohit had been taken into custody. “As soon as the commission of the crime was ascertained the police have taken Rohit into custody for further investigation.”
Further, the police also submitted that they have recorded a further statement from the girl in the presence of two representatives of an NGO, in which she was unable to provided details of the alleged rape. “She has further stated that she has not received any threat, either verbal or written, from any person. She also stated that she has no complaint against anybody and that she has repeatedly been stating the same,” it was submitted.
As regards the complaint against Warren, the police submitted that there was no “material available to proceed against Warren Alemao and on the contrary the victim had categorically stated that she does not know any person by the name of Warren Alemao.”
The police in its affidavit also gave a clean chit to the Education minister and said that there was no material to proceed against him as an abettor to the crime.
When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice A P Deshpande and Justice N A Britto on Wednesday, advocate general Subodh Kantak informed the court that he had filed an application seeking to correct two paragraphs in the order passed on November 21, in which statements were attributed to the state, stating that Rohit was absconding till November 4. Kantak submitted that Rohit had deposed before the police on November 1 prior to recording the girl’s statement by Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa.
Senior counsel Atmaram Nadkarni appearing for Rohit was granted a week’s time to file an affidavit as to why Rohit’s bail shouldn’t be cancelled.
December 11, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Bunkers planned on Goa beaches
Bunkers planned on Goa beaches
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Armed police personnel at key beaches and bunkers from which to keep a watch on suspicious movement from the sea are part of the security measures the Goa police are putting in place.
“Bunkers of over five feet height will be constructed at strategically important beaches and armed policemen will be deployed with wireless and binoculars,” said a senior police official.
From the bunkers police will be able to track movement from the sea and reduce the possibility of terrorists infiltrating through this route. Goa has a 105-km-long coastline, with a major sea port and famous beaches.
“As we have a long coastline, we need to be careful and after the recent terror attacks, we need to tighten security on the beaches,” sources said. The bunkers are planned at Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Mobor in South Goa, and Anjuna, Calangute and Dona Paula in north Goa. The North and South district SPs visited the beaches on Tuesday and selected the sites for the bunkers. Besides, the wireless and automatic weapons, once bullet proof jackets and protective head gear have been procured, the cops on duty there would be armoured with the same. At the moment there are about 30 outdated bullet proof jackets and no protective head gear with the police, sources added.
Cops can’t be everywhere, says Kamat
Margao: Chief minister Digambar Kamat, who toured South Goa coastal areas on Tuesday, said he was quite comfortable and satisfied with the security arrangements made. He also discussed security measures with hotels in the area, involving them in making security arrangements. “You cannot expect the police to be deployed everywhere,” the CM said.
Kamat, however, said that the proposed CCTVs on beaches was not feasible, but maintained that the security system in place was quite good. He also allayed fears of possible attacks from al-Qaeda and said precautions were being taken after the Mumbai attack as the government was not leaving anything to chance. TNN P 2 Fishermen alerted along coastal belt
Panaji: Goa police will be putting up bunkers of over five feet height at key beaches in the state to keep a close watch on any suspicious movement.
With hardly any reserve force available in the state, the police plans to post at least two armed policemen at the bunkers. Besides, there would be regular patrolling on the beaches and the Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been deployed to sensitive beaches. The government has brought in the navy, coast guard and coastal police to man the sea coast. While the navy is keeping vigil in the deep seas, the coast guard is checking on activities closer to shore and the coastal police is patrolling waters within five kms of land, with the help of boats borrowed from the customs and fisheries departments.
The police is also meeting fishermen and trawler owners to apprise them of the terror scenario in the country and asking them to be alert along the coast. The police have also asked water sports operators to stop activities by sunset.
December 10, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Armed police personnel at key beaches and bunkers from which to keep a watch on suspicious movement from the sea are part of the security measures the Goa police are putting in place.
“Bunkers of over five feet height will be constructed at strategically important beaches and armed policemen will be deployed with wireless and binoculars,” said a senior police official.
From the bunkers police will be able to track movement from the sea and reduce the possibility of terrorists infiltrating through this route. Goa has a 105-km-long coastline, with a major sea port and famous beaches.
“As we have a long coastline, we need to be careful and after the recent terror attacks, we need to tighten security on the beaches,” sources said. The bunkers are planned at Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Mobor in South Goa, and Anjuna, Calangute and Dona Paula in north Goa. The North and South district SPs visited the beaches on Tuesday and selected the sites for the bunkers. Besides, the wireless and automatic weapons, once bullet proof jackets and protective head gear have been procured, the cops on duty there would be armoured with the same. At the moment there are about 30 outdated bullet proof jackets and no protective head gear with the police, sources added.
Cops can’t be everywhere, says Kamat
Margao: Chief minister Digambar Kamat, who toured South Goa coastal areas on Tuesday, said he was quite comfortable and satisfied with the security arrangements made. He also discussed security measures with hotels in the area, involving them in making security arrangements. “You cannot expect the police to be deployed everywhere,” the CM said.
Kamat, however, said that the proposed CCTVs on beaches was not feasible, but maintained that the security system in place was quite good. He also allayed fears of possible attacks from al-Qaeda and said precautions were being taken after the Mumbai attack as the government was not leaving anything to chance. TNN P 2 Fishermen alerted along coastal belt
Panaji: Goa police will be putting up bunkers of over five feet height at key beaches in the state to keep a close watch on any suspicious movement.
With hardly any reserve force available in the state, the police plans to post at least two armed policemen at the bunkers. Besides, there would be regular patrolling on the beaches and the Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been deployed to sensitive beaches. The government has brought in the navy, coast guard and coastal police to man the sea coast. While the navy is keeping vigil in the deep seas, the coast guard is checking on activities closer to shore and the coastal police is patrolling waters within five kms of land, with the help of boats borrowed from the customs and fisheries departments.
The police is also meeting fishermen and trawler owners to apprise them of the terror scenario in the country and asking them to be alert along the coast. The police have also asked water sports operators to stop activities by sunset.
December 10, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa-Stop watersport activities by sunset: Police to operators
Stop watersport activities by sunset: Police to operators
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police, in a determined bid to curb the movement of jetskis and speedboats after sunset have issued notices to water sports operators to stop activities by sunset to prevent the infiltration of terrorists through the sea. Notices have been issued under section 149 of the CrPC to prevent cognizable offences.
Besides, a proposal will also be sent to the captain of ports and director of tourism to stop operations of water sports activities during late evening hours in the sea, “which makes it difficult for the police to identify” the user, highly placed police sources said. Water sports activities are a common feature in the popular coastal belt of North Goa. Sometime back, a proposal was sent to captain of ports and director of tourism to allot “a small portion of land to install a surveillance tower” in the Baga, Calangute stretch, where a majority of water sports operators are located on account of the area being popular with both, foreign and Indian tourists.
The police wrote, “Considering the recent terror attacks at Mumbai, its essential to maintain surveillance on the sea front”. The spot for the surveillance tower was identified at Baga beach.
The Goa police, which has intensified patrolling and strengthened security in the state following the terror attacks in Mumbai, during a meeting with the fishermen and trawler owners to appraise them of the present terror scenario in the country, wherein terrorists had infiltrated through the sea route, have realized that it won’t be easy maintaining security along the coastaline on account of the manner in which the water sports operators have been functioning.
“During the meetings held, it was equivocally stated that jetskis and speedboats have been operating during late evening hours in the sea,
which makes it difficult to identify any unknown vessel or boat moving in the sea due to presence of water sports activities,” said police sources.
The police were interacting with fishermen and trawler owners to request their co-operation in the maintenance of security along the coastal line.
Owners of offshore casinos anchored in the river Mandovi have also tightened security in and around their vessels in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, even as the coastal police is patrolling the river water 24 X7. Nimai Biswas, proprietor of Scansea marine, which ensures that security is maintained as per the international security code, said, “We have trained security officers and a security system is in place to sense a terror strike. We have taken all precautions to keep our guests safe”.
Sources added that the casino owners have heightened security at the entrance of the casinos and even inside the vessels.
“We have installed metal detectors and everyone who enters the casino is frisked. No one is allowed to carry bags on board. Moreover, security guards are keeping a close watch on movements in and outside the casinos,” said an operator.
December 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police, in a determined bid to curb the movement of jetskis and speedboats after sunset have issued notices to water sports operators to stop activities by sunset to prevent the infiltration of terrorists through the sea. Notices have been issued under section 149 of the CrPC to prevent cognizable offences.
Besides, a proposal will also be sent to the captain of ports and director of tourism to stop operations of water sports activities during late evening hours in the sea, “which makes it difficult for the police to identify” the user, highly placed police sources said. Water sports activities are a common feature in the popular coastal belt of North Goa. Sometime back, a proposal was sent to captain of ports and director of tourism to allot “a small portion of land to install a surveillance tower” in the Baga, Calangute stretch, where a majority of water sports operators are located on account of the area being popular with both, foreign and Indian tourists.
The police wrote, “Considering the recent terror attacks at Mumbai, its essential to maintain surveillance on the sea front”. The spot for the surveillance tower was identified at Baga beach.
The Goa police, which has intensified patrolling and strengthened security in the state following the terror attacks in Mumbai, during a meeting with the fishermen and trawler owners to appraise them of the present terror scenario in the country, wherein terrorists had infiltrated through the sea route, have realized that it won’t be easy maintaining security along the coastaline on account of the manner in which the water sports operators have been functioning.
“During the meetings held, it was equivocally stated that jetskis and speedboats have been operating during late evening hours in the sea,
which makes it difficult to identify any unknown vessel or boat moving in the sea due to presence of water sports activities,” said police sources.
The police were interacting with fishermen and trawler owners to request their co-operation in the maintenance of security along the coastal line.
Owners of offshore casinos anchored in the river Mandovi have also tightened security in and around their vessels in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, even as the coastal police is patrolling the river water 24 X7. Nimai Biswas, proprietor of Scansea marine, which ensures that security is maintained as per the international security code, said, “We have trained security officers and a security system is in place to sense a terror strike. We have taken all precautions to keep our guests safe”.
Sources added that the casino owners have heightened security at the entrance of the casinos and even inside the vessels.
“We have installed metal detectors and everyone who enters the casino is frisked. No one is allowed to carry bags on board. Moreover, security guards are keeping a close watch on movements in and outside the casinos,” said an operator.
December 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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