Terror Destination EDITORIAL - Navhind Times
The Goa police has been consistently denying the existence of Muslim fundamentalists in the state, but the fact that they have not only been visiting but also planning to carry out serial blasts has been corroborated by Nasir Riyazuddin, an engineering college dropout from Hyderabad who was arrested along with his accomplice Mohammed Ghouse on January 11 at Honnali by the Karnataka police. In his confessional statement to the Karnataka police he revealed that after the twin Hyderabad explosions of August 25, in which not less than 30 persons lost their lives, he had visited Goa and identified four beaches to carry out his operation. Though the police are yet to find out and ascertain the facts and also the reasons for delaying his plan of action in Goa, this revelation reinforces the apprehension that Goan beaches have been a target of the Islamic militants. Nasir, the Pakistan-trained terrorist may retract his statement given to the Karnataka police before the court as given under duress, but what is really shocking is the utter failure of the Goa police and its intelligence wing, which claim to be thorough professionals, to identify and keep track of his activities. Going by his confession, Nasir has been regularly coming to Goa but surprisingly the police did not have any information about his movements. This undoubtedly reflects upon the functioning of the Goa police and its intelligence wing. It is customary to deploy the police particularly during the evening in the areas frequently visited by the people. But there is no proper arrangement in most of the places. The fact that Nasir has been a hardcore terrorist and involved in the operation to carry out serial blasts is confirmed by the records of Gujarat and Hyderabad police. It was only after receipt of the information of his arrest that the Goa police rushed to Davangere in Karnataka to interrogate him. Just after assuming charge, the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik had promised to strengthen the police and its intelligence wing and make them proactive, but this incident simply underlines the belief that it was mere rhetoric and no serious efforts have been initiated in this direction. Or, what is the plausible explanation for the intelligence failure to detect and identify them. It would not be exaggeration to say that Goa police have also not taken seriously the style of operation of the terrorists: killing innocent people at religious places and railway stations. Goa has been a favourite tourist destination. Lakhs of tourists come to Goa to enjoy their holidays. Even a small act would witness huge casualties. In this backdrop the Goa police ought to have been more alert and agile. The police authorities cannot deny the charge that policing and intelligence gathering have not been up to the set standard. If Delhi and Mumbai police could flush out a terrorist from among crores of people, why could the Goa police not identify a terrorist in a state having only 14 lakh population? Posted by jp
