Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Dec 26: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is on a two-day visit to Goa starting on Thursday, and anti-SEZ bodies have warned of agitation asking tourists to leave the state by December 28.
 
Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) has asked tourists to leave the state as the agitation could take an ugly turn. The state government, on the other hand, has filed a criminal case against GMAS convener Mathany Saldanha for the warning.

However, anti-SEZ groups on Wednesday clarified that they would not agitate during the PM visit. "We have sought an appointment with the PM to discuss SEZ issue... We are waiting for the reply," GMAS organizing secretary Siddhanath Buyao said on Wednesday evening.

Taking no chance, the state police force has beefed up the security in and around Panaji city with policemen being posted at every nook and corner of this capital, which is already full with tourists, DGP B S Brar stated.

GMAS, comprising the BJP and other bodies, has been demanding scrapping of SEZ projects in the state. The Goa government has allotted about 1,500 acres of land till now. The state has 16 SEZs, of which three are notified while four are approved.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat has already assured that the issue would be settled taking all the stake-holders into confidence.

The PM will be arriving in the state on Thursday afternoon.

Singh will confer an honorary D Litt  on renowned playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and eminent scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar during the convocation ceremony on Friday. He will also inaugurate Goa broadband network project on Thursday, besides attending other programmes.