Panaji, Jul 13 (IBNS): The Goa government has decided to scrap the Special Tourist Security Force, which had generated re-employment opportunities for several ex-servicemen in the state.

In a written reply on Friday, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stated that the government has decided to replace the security force with effective policing at all major tourist spots.

“The tourist security force will be ineffective in the absence of powers of policing. An effective force as a part of the police set up and well trained personnel is considered as an alternative,” the reply mentioned. The tenure of the existing force is ending on November 24, 2012.

The erstwhile Congress government had raised the force in the wake of series of crimes against tourists in the coastal state, especial foreign women tourists. The Special Forces are deployed at the beaches. They however do not have any policing powers.

The reply of the chief minister was tabled on the floor of the House in his absence as Parrikar is currently with his ailing son in a Mumbai hospital. He along with his elder son Utpal flew to Mumbai yesterday morning. Doctors said Utpal is out of danger.

(Reporting by John Edwards)