The Centre on Monday sent 375 CRPF and RAF personnel to Goa in the wake of intelligence reports suggesting that the tourist hot spot might be a terror target during the Christmas and New Year revelries.
Sources said the move comes after the state government wrote to the Union Home Ministry requesting more central paramilitary force, citing terror threat.
“The Goa government placed a request in this regard with the Central government, after which two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been dispatched”, a CRPF official said.
He said deployment of central forces is being done for the first time in the state during this particular season.
Security in Goa had become a major concern following the Mumbai terror attack last month.
“There is heightened security for the festivals ahead because of the Mumbai incident. Security would be beefed up at all places even though we urge citizens not to get worried,” a senior security official said.
Beach parties, synonymous with Goa’s famed night life, has already been banned by Goa government for security reasons.
The state is also looking to raise special commando units to tackle any terror incident as fast as possible, sources said.
