Anti-Terror Squad officials in Goa scan the social media, looking out for patterns used by lone-wolf terrorists or communal groups, even as Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar on Friday conceded, that as the State was on the terror radar, a strict surveillance was being maintained on natives of Jammu & Kashmir and refugees from Syria.
“ATS Intelligence wing is maintaining vigilance in Goa and collecting Intelligence on terrorists, violent extremists and anti-social elements. ATS technical wing is monitoring online activities on social media to tackle any type of radicalisation efforts, to influence youths to carry out lone wolf attacks and other subversive activities,” Parsekar told the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Goa legislative Assembly.
Parsekar was speaking in response to a private member’s resolution moved by leader of Opposition, Pratapsingh Rane, who said that Goa, which is a leading beach tourism destination, especially for foreign tourists, need to strengthen its anti-terror mechanism in view of the terror threat to the coastal State.
Parsekar said that the anti-terrorism squad of the Goa Police is also keeping tabs on the movement of Kashmiri natives living in Goa as well as refugees who have migrated to India, following the ISIS threat to Syria and other areas affected by conflict.
“ATS is keeping track of migrants, tenants, servants individuals of Jammu & Kashmir throughout Goa who may try to penetrate into the State with ulterior motives and disrupt the internal security of the State,” Parsekar said, adding that the ATS is also “tracking down foreigners overstaying in Goa, especially those nationals from Syria and Iran who have flown to India from the conflict zone of ISIS-led terror”.
The CM also said that a ban on paragliding and drones was also in place, after police investigation revealed that an Indian Mujahideen cadre had undergone a paragliding course in North Goa’s Arambol beach area. “Strategic plan of action has been formed in respect of vital installations, airports, railways stations and important buildings to combat terror attacks,” Parsekar said.
Earlier, Opposition as well as ruling MlAs urged the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition Government to spruce up the anti-terror mechanism in the State in view of the terror attack in Europe, especially near places of touristic interest.
“We are a tourist State. We have people coming from all over the world. Tourism season will begin very soon after this session is over. But wherever there are crowds, wherever there are foreigners, suddenly we find an attack takes place,” Rane said.
Ruling BJP MlA from Calangute Michael lobo said that since Goa was popular with foreign tourists, the State needed to be more serious about their welfare.
“Goa is a tourist destination which is developing. International tourists who are European come to Goa. In Europe there has been a terror strike every few months. A bomb goes off, an airport is being attacked. Attacks take place wherever there are tourists. Restaurants where foreigners sit are also attacked. Is Goa prepared for thisIJ” lobo asked.
“ISIS is targeting Europeans. So Goa needs to be cautious. Goa has an anti-terror squad but they are not well equipped,” ruling BJP MlA from Aldona Glenn Ticlo said.
Goa is one of the most popular beach tourism destinations in the country and attracts four million tourists, half a million of which are foreigners.