from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Dec 19: State government on Friday December 19 clarified that they will not ban any night parties on the beaches.

Few hours after the Congress legislative party (CLP), decided to ban the parties on the beach, Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat said that they will not implement the ban and instead wait for the directions from the central government.

Goa, a tourist hotspot, is already on alert to avoid terror attack during Christmas and New Year. The Congress party which met on Thursday demanded that ban on the night parties on the open spaces.

"The ban will be from December 23 to January 5," home minister Ravi Naik had said.

Sources close to the chief minister said that the tourism industry, which is already reeling under severe recession, worked overtime to ensure that the state does not implement the ban as it will send wrong signal to the tourists resulting in more cancellations.

The chief minister on Friday clarified that the ban will not be implemented in the state. "As of now there is no ban but we are waiting for the directives from the central government," he said.

The state has already heightened the security around its beaches with special measures in place to ensure that the porous coastline does not facilitate the terrorist activities.

The chief minister addressing the Liberation day function on Friday did not rule out the possibility of terrorists targeting Goa.

"Goa is also worried over the possible terror attack. Terrorists may target the world famous tourist destination of Goa. But we are well prepared to thwart any such attempts," he said addressing the parade at Campal ground here.

The state erstwhile Portuguese colony celebrated its 47th liberation day on Friday.

Kamat said that the tourists and citizens need not worry as state has taken all the measures and continues to be safe destination.