IFFI: Goa Govt to mount extra security

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) Goa Chief Secretary JP Singh today said the state government would do everything necessary to ensure adequate security during the Internationbal Film Festival of India(IFFI) beginning at Panaji from November 23.

''We have to be extra careful, watchful, and go out of our way to keep the international event safe from any threat'' Mr Singh told UNI after addressing a press conference relating to IFFI here.

According to reports, Goa which is the venue of the IFFI and also witnessing the peak tourist season might be soft target for terrorist attacks.

The strikes may take place on the pattern of terrorist attacks on foreign tourists in the Indonesian island of Bali, where al Qaeda, with the support of local terrorist outfit Jemaah-Islamiyah had engineered a series of blasts killing 202 and 26 persons in 2002 and 2005 respectively.

Mr Singh said the state government was requisitioning two extra companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

''We are holding regular meetings with security agencies and coordinating with different government departments and public bodies to meet any eventuality,'' he said.

Already para military forces have been rushed to the state and more will be ready to meet any contingency.

The government is leaving no stone unturned to make Goa safe for delegates of the film festival and tourists, he added.

UNI NAZ SAM HT1938