Uttarakhand man quizzed by Goa ATS over suspicious movements

Goa Police's Anti-Terror Squad is questioning a 45-year-old man from Uttarakhand over his suspicious movements at the Vasco railway station, a top official said on Tuesday.

The man, whose name was not released by police, was picked up on Monday night from the railway station, 35 km from Panaji, after railway authorities reported his suspicious movements to police.

"Railway officials informed us about his suspicious movements yesterday (Monday). He is a middle-aged man who was repeatedly seen at the railway station. He says he is a businessman, we are verifying his statements," Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg told reporters at the Goa Police headquarters in Panaji.

Police sources said central intelligence officials have also been roped in to quiz the detainee who is being kept at a secure location.

The man's detention comes at a time when a section of the national media, quoting sources in the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Tuesday, said a man named Khalid Ahmed Ali Nawazuddin alias Rizwan had planned terror strikes in Goa targeting foreign tourists and defence installations.

The reports also said Rizwan had contacted a realty broker in Goa to get an apartment on rent in the coastal state.

Garg, however, said police have received no specific inputs from the Maharashtra ATS.

"We have not been informed by Maharashtra Police. In such cases, we cannot take action on the basis of media reports," Garg said.

He said every effort is being made by Goa Police to keep the state safe.

"We are investigating every clue we come across. No effort is being spared to keep the state and its people safe," he said.