The Hindu : National : Goa is safe, police tell tourists

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Saturday, Dec 29, 2007
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Goa is safe, police tell tourists

Special Correspondent

Hotels urged to insist on documents to prove identity of guests
Chief Minister to hold discussion with Saldanha today

PANAJI: In an exercise aimed at boosting the morale of tourists and the tourism industry ahead of the New Year bashes, the Goa police on Friday declared that the State was absolutely safe for tourists.

At a press conference, Inspector General of Police Kishen Kumar highlighted the security arrangements made along with three battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force.

When it was pointed out that there was a sense of insecurity among tourists in view of the ultimatum issued last week by some groups agitating against special economic zone projects in the State, he said: “That is the precise reason we are meeting you — to convey to the people within the State as well as all over that there is nothing to worry and Goa is absolutely safe.”

Mr. Kumar appealed to the people of Goa as well as tourists to cooperate with the law enforcing agencies. He said all hoteliers and other hospitality establishments have been requested to maintain registers containing personal information of guests. They have also been asked to insist on some identification document such as passport, driving licence, credit card or PAN card from the guests.

The police have asked all the police stations across the State to patrol their respective areas, especially beaches. Special arrangements have been made by the police on beaches such as Calangute, Baga, Anjunem, Candolim in north and Colva, Paloem in south.

Leader of the Goa Movement Against Special Economic Zone (GMAS) Matanhy Saldanha — facing a police complaint over his earlier ultimatum to tourists to leave Goa in view of plans to intensify their agitation — in a signed statement released here on Friday evening, said Chief Minister Digambar Kamat called him, along with Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, for discussions on Saturday.

Mr. Saldanha, a former Tourism Minister, said the Goa government should learn from the statement of Prime Manmohan Singh during his two-day State visit that Goa needed to strike a balance between retaining its beauty and pursuing industrialisation. Mr. Saldanha said the GMAS would decide the future course of action after meeting the Chief Minister.

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