Goa cops ignored terror alert, govt should be dismissed: Cong

Alleging that the Goa police had ignored an alert issued by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) about a possible terror attack on the western coast, the Congress today sought dismissal of the BJP-led state government.

The opposition party said as Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who holds the Home portfolio, is in the US for a medical treatment, there is nobody to head the department.

"The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) had issued terror alert last week, which was circulated to all the agencies. Although all the states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala took all the precautions to avoid terror attacks, Goa remained completely lethargic letting our coast porous," AICC secretary Girish Chodankar told reporters here.

"Goa police downplayed the alert claiming it to be 'Sagar Kavach', a mock drill exercise...This is a serious national issue. Governor Mridula Sinha should dismiss the state government, which has played with the national security," he added.

The Congress leader alleged that the state Home department was directionless in the absence of the minister heading it.

"During the last two months, we kept quiet considering that the CM is out of station due to his health issues. But the situation is turning grave now with the terror alerts being ignored by the state police," he said.

Chodankar also demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should issue a notice to the state police asking clarification on why they took the alert lightly and instead misled people by calling it as 'Sagar Kavach' exercise.

Sagar Kavach is a multi agency mock anti-terror exercise to check the preparedness of the state towards any such incident.

The ICG alert had expressed the possibility of terrorists boarding a fishing trawler at Karachi and entering the country via coastline.

After the alert was issued, Goa's Captain of Ports department had asked all the vessels including water sports operators to increase the vigil.

Despite repeated attempts, Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Muktesh Chander could not be contacted.