PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has said that the administration has on Wednesday decided to step up security in the state to maintain peace and avoid any untoward incident in view of the Allahabad High Court judgement scheduled to be delivered on Friday.

Addressing a press conference after chairing a meeting to review security in the state, Mr Kamat said the security was reviewed in view of central government’s directives and added that Section 144, which was already imposed in North Goa in view of elections to Valpoi assembly constituency, would also be imposed in South Goa from September 23 and would be in force for at least five days.
Mr Kamat appealed to the people of the state to maintain calm and not to adopt confrontationist approach after the verdict is announced on September 24. He, however, said that the state machinery has been geared up to maintain peace in the state and to prevent any problem.
The emergency meeting was attended by the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, the Chief secretary, Mr Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava, Director General of Police, Mr Bhim Sain Bassi, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr R K Yadav, Superintendents of Police of North and South Goa, and also the District Magistrates of North and South Goa districts.
The Chief Minister further said that both the district magistrates have been directed to hold meetings of peace committees to maintain peace and avoid any untoward incident in any part of the state. He went on to add that police pickets would be placed at various places in the state and also quick response teams would be stationed at strategic places. 
Mr Kamat also informed the reporters that the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms Ambika Soni has accepted Goa’s suggestion with regards to holding of the International Film Festival of India and that the state and central agencies involved in holding the event would work hand-in-hand to send message that it was a national event for which every person or agency was working closely to ensure that it was a success.
He further said that the opening and closing ceremonies would be handled by a professional agency and a committee headed by Union Information and Broadcasting secretary would look after the two events to ensure their success. He also said that the role of the Entertainment Society of Goa has been duly acknowledged and that the expenses would be either borne by the ministry or the sponsors. He further said that ESG would be allowed to hold certain events and that the state’s expenses on holding the event would be around Rs 7 crore, same as last year.