Non-Goans targeted for national security

| 14 December 2001 23:31 IST

In view of beefing up security measures following terrorist attack on the Parliament House, Goa has decided to closely monitor activities of all non-Goans settled here for the last two years.

Announcing this soon after holding a high level meeting, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said even the slums which have come up recently will be demolished and contractors will be told to provide shelter to the migrant construction workers they employ.

Besides tightening up security around sensitive government establishments, Parrikar has gone a step ahead. "I don't want to take any risk", he says, recalling that the local Muslims had recently complained about one maulavi giving provocative speeches in Quepem, the southern taluka.

In addition, the local BJP chief Laxmikant Parsekar had also demanded to probe into a news report that Mohammed Afroz Abdul Razzak, arrested in Mumbai last week and allegedly having links with Al Qaeda, was in Goa for a week.

The Goa police have however claimed that no person was found giving 'provocative' speeches nor any inputs have been received from Mumbai police regarding Afroz's stay in Goa.

The state is however issuing instructions under section 144 of CrPC to all the landlords to furnish details of all the people – who are not of Goan origin – staying in rented houses since last two years, at the nearest police station within a fortnight.

"There is lots of influx taking place and we have no system for checks and balances", states Parrikar, justifying his action. He has already started surveying foreign nationals settled in Goa while crosschecking their addresses in their native countries.

The BJP chief minister was also critical about 36 madarasa being opened throughout the state, educating children of particular community. "I have no problem with madarsa, but they need to be registered with the education department. Otherwise I will crackdown on it", he told the newspersons.

He has also warned of stern action against anybody found giving provocative speeches against the national interest as well as found to have been staying or moving in a suspicious manner in the tourist state.

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