Multi-agency security cover for Goa beaches on anvil

Goa, whose image as tourists paradise has taken a severe beating after foreigners being victimised frequently of late, is in the process of formulating a multi-agency security cover for its beaches.

While currently the security at beaches is manned by Tourist Police and a private agency, two more forces are being raised to ramp it up further.

One of them, a force of local 1,000 youths who will look after the security on the beaches, was announced to be set up by the state government yesterday.

"This is a step in right direction. We have been always pressing for more security persons on the beaches," Lyndon Monteiro, officer on special duty to tourism ministry, told PTI today.

He said additional force will help the department to curb crimes on the beaches.

This force, which is yet to be formally named, will be in addition to Centre-funded tourism security organisation, a force of ex-servicemen.

The Tourism Department is already in the process of setting up this force and have donated jeeps from the private tour operators body ¿ Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) to it.

The tourists visiting Goa are wary of their security after spate of crimes against foreigners including a rape on a minor Russian and earlier instance of death of British teenager, Scarlett Eden Keeling on Anjuna shore.

TTAG had earlier expressed concern over increasing menace on the beaches in the form of beggars and vendors.

Monteiro said such a force will curb these instances of harassment of tourists, especially foreigners.

Russian consulate representative Vikram Varma, though welcomed the step said security at beaches is a complex issue.

"Security of tourists is a complex issue. However this initiative is a welcome step in the right direction and I hope it improves the environment for the tourists here," he added.