BJP suspects SIMI activities in Goa, alleges police failure

Panaji, Jul 28 (UNI) Suspecting increased activities of the outlawed ISI-inspired Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in Goa, the BJP has alleged police failure in keeping a tab on the outfit causing concern to people in this international tourist destination.

''Desecration of as many as 15 Hindu idols in Goa and seizure of a cache of swords at Moti Dongor area in Margao last month are a pointer to the SIMI activities aimed at triggering Hindu backlash,'' the BJP opposition leader Manohar Parrikar told mediapersons here today.

Interacting with journalists after the party's legislators met today to discuss strategy for the coming monsoon session of the state Legislative Assembly next month, the former Chief Minister said the intelligence reports based on interrogation of suspects elsewhere point to infiltration of SIMI activities from neighbouring Karnataka to disrupt peace in Goa.

With the state already in the terrorist's map, police should have been more vigilant and intensified, verifying the antecedents of the suspects on a regular basis, particularly in areas where colonies of migrants with suspicious background came up in the state under the vote bank politics.

''Some of these colonies including the one at Moti Dongor in Margao were propped up by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and hence the investigation into the seizure of swords in the backdrop of a communal flare-up in June 27 turned tardy,'' Mr Parrikar said.

Police were on a red alert for a day or two, following bouts of bomb blasts in neighbouring states like Karnataka and Ahmedabad, but this was to no avail, he said, adding that the BJP would raise the security issue in the House next month.

Other issues the party had decided to raise included ''wavering stand'' of the government on scrapping of SEZs and opposing through a private members' bill the amendments of the Town and Country Planning Act that gave draconian powers to the government to nullify any project of its choice, he added.

UNI BM SR AKJ RAI1900