Panaji, Nov 27 (TNN): The anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of Goa police which has been recently strengthened will have its own intelligence wing devoted to collecting intelligence pertaining to terrorist activities.

The strength of the ATS has increased to 110 and all have been trained in Pune. Of these, 30 will be posted as spotters for surveillance and collecting information about suspects.

DGP T Mohan told the media on Wednesday that the strength of the ATS unit has been increased from 97 to 110 and status of ATS will not be disturbed as the danger from terror activities has not diminished.

Policemen attached to the intelligence wing of the ATS are deployed as spotters. The DGP said surveillance is necessary and Goa police have started having regular meetings with their counterparts in two neighbouring states to exchange information and intelligence.

He said such meetings with police of the neighbouring states happened very rarely in the past. "Now meetings are held every two months. Criminals know no borders. Some commit crime here and disappear or take shelter in places like Belgaum or elsewhere," he added, while talking about enhanced security arrangements for the ongoing Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa and IFFI.

In addition to deployment of 1,723 personnel at Old Goa and another 600 at IFFI venue, he said they erected eight watch towers at Old Goa and two in IFFI premises.

While sometime ago Goa police faced shortage of personnel, 75 constables, freshly trained, were posted at various police stations which could help policing in the state. Apart from this, 400 constables currently undergoing training in Tamil Nadu will be posted at police stations from December 1.

Besides this, government has sanctioned additional manpower of 1,800, including 300 posts of police women, he added.