PANAJI: Following an alert by the Centre about likely major terrorist activities in the coastal region, the State police have intensified vigilance and patrolling at various sensitive and vital installations, religious places and places of public importance and economic infrastructure.

It is not for the first time that Goa has been put on high alert on this count. Last year, during the peak tourist season, the State was asked to be vigilant on account of "high threat perception" following reports from national and some international intelligence agencies.

Early this year, a suspected terrorist arrested by the State police based on information given by Central intelligence agencies revealed his plans to target crucial economic installations and infrastructure in the State.

Landing of arms

Director-General of Police Neeraj Kumar told The Hindu on Friday evening that all coastal States, including Goa, had been alerted for the likely landing of arms and explosives by October. "It is a general kind of alert in view of the coming independence day celebrations, but we do not want to take any chances," Mr. Kumar said.

Sources in the Government said a fax message from the Union Home Ministry said the Lashkar-e-Taiba was recruiting personnel from fishermen communities, especially from the coastal States of Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other southern States, to carry out sea operations by the second week of September and for arrangements to bring consignments of ammunition to India by October 15.

The message also cautioned the Goa police that the sea routes across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other southern States were likely to be used to push Pakistan-based terrorists into India.

Expressing dismay that Goa was fast turning into a haven for terrorists, Bharatiya Janata Party State president Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday demanded a comprehensive combing operation to flush out terrorists in the State.

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