Bhatkal shadow on Goa's Ganesh Chaturthi festivities

Indian Mujahideen terrorist Yasin Bhatkal's revelations about possible attacks seem to be weighing heavy on the minds of officials in Goa who Thursday issued an advisory asking people to remain alert during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

For the the 11-day festival beginning Sep 9, the district administration in South Goa, has made it compulsory for public pandals to use electronic eyes for surveillance.

According to District Collector (South) N.D. Agarwal, the recent arrest of Bhatkal and his revelations in custody about IM's terror plans was one of the reasons why all public Ganesh Chaturthi pandals had been told to instal CCTV cameras this year.

"We had a meeting with all the organisers of public Ganesh pandals. In view of the arrest of the top terrorist and knowing that these people could commit untoward incidents, we have to take precaution," Agarwal told reporters at the district collectorate complex in Margao, a town 35 km from the capital where the South district headquarters is located.

Ganesh Chaturthi is considered the most important Hindu religious festival in Goa.