Security beefed up for IFFI

Panaji, Nov 20 (UNI) Four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) companies and over 500 policemen in plain clothes will maintain a strict vigil following a terrorist threat perception in Goa where the 37th International Film Festival of India commences on November 23.

Goa chief secretary J P Singh, while speaking to reporters at the Kala Academy -- the main venue of the IFFI, said effort has been made to ensure the peaceful conduct of the 13-day long mega festival.

Meanwhile, the city is gearing up for the film festival with street lights along the promenade having been relaid, pathways renovated with tiles and a facelift given along the venue from Panaji Jetty to Campal area.

The Rs two-crore jetty built abutting the Kala Academy, has been tastefully decorated to offer a red carpet welcome to foreign and other official guests who will be ferried in boats from the Taj group of hotels to the venue during the festival.

The Kala Academy has also been spruced up, freshly painted and adorned with several attractive display boards of the IFFI.

At the four-screen Inox multiplex complex, arrangements have been made for screening pre-festival films for the media and delegates from tomorrow.

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