from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)
Panaji, Oct 31: The International film festival of India (IFFI) 2008 will be scanned from the terror angle despite no specific security threat alert issued, police stated.
"Whatever we are doing is just a precautionary measure. The IFFI 2008 will be scanned with security, terror and intelligence angle," superintendent of Police (special branch) Atmaram Deshpande said.
The IFFI 2008 is scheduled to be held in the State from November 22 to December 2 with many film personalities participating in the event. National and international film-makers will participate in this annual event to held on the bank of Mandovi river in the coastal state.
The special meeting is planned between State police and festival organizers – entertainment society of Goa and directorate of film festival – this week to give final touch to the security arrangements, which will be in place much before the festival kicks off.
"There will be anti-sabotage checks and more frisking. Also there will be stand-by arrangements as we are not ready to take any chance," Desphande said.
The police have also asked the organizers to provide them with the list of VVIPs including film personalities arriving for the festival.
"Many of these personalities either have Z security cover or they have their own security arrangements. We have to coordinate with the organizers so that comprehensive security plan is in place," the SP said.
Besides the State police, the organizers also employ private security arrangements to look after the frisking and checking business at the festival venues especially at the film screens.
State is holding IFFI since 2004 at two different venues – Old Goa Medical College complex and Kala Academy.
The ten days festivities will have films and film personalities from across the globe participating in it.