from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Nov 27: As the neighbouring Mumbai continued reeling under militant attacks, Goa, the state with highest foreign tourist arrival, has alerted security apparatus in its coastal belt and starred hotels.

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which is held in capital city of Panaji with strong foreign delegate participation, has also been alerted by the state police.

"I have asked the police to assess the situation. Goa has been put on alert," state chief secretary J P Singh said early morning.

As the initial reports indicated that the Mumbai terror attack had foreign nationals on their radar, Goa police have put special plan in action in beach belt like Baga,Calangute which are frequently visited by the foreign guests.

"The instructions were issued in the night itself to ensure that there is alert on the beach belt and also in the starred hotels," Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Atmaram Deshpande  said.

According to the tourism department figures, the state has around 20,000 foreigners currently holidaying in the state. The state, which attracts around 3 lakh foreign tourists annually, has more than 50 per cent British visitors.

With the state marine police force unable to guard the sea routes, Police have sought assistance from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to patrol the 105-km-long coastline passing through the state.

Special focus is laid at the IFFI, which entered the fifth day today and is having strong presence of foreign delegates. 

"The festival venues are having full proof security. They have been asked to be vigilant," Deshpande said.

Goa already had requisitioned two companies of para military forces to guard the venues coupling with the state police force. 

The starred hotels had already installed metallic detector frames on their entrances little before the film festival. Police stated that they will be posting their staff at the hotels who will manage the security along with the staff.