PANAJI: The state government has upgraded the security cover to the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik in view of threat perception even as both his sons, Mr Ritesh Naik and Mr Roy Naik have been provided with a security cover following inputs received by the state police that there was a possible threat to their security and safety.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the press conference addressed by the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, the Director General of Police said that the decision raising the security cover to the Home Minister was taken way back in May this year but the decision to provide security cover to his sons was taken after the police received inputs that their safety was under possible threat.
The top police official in the state, however, refused to go into the details of the threat and level of security cover provided to the Home Minister or his family but said that the family has been provided a security cover. He also refused to reveal the nature of threat to Mr Naik or his family saying that it could not be divulged at this stage but went on to add that certain details that have emerged have necessitated extension of security cover.
He described that providing security cover was routine and that it was done in view of the emergent situation, which would be reviewed constantly. He also said that the police were looking into the inputs received by it and further decision or review of security would be undertaken after thoroughly studying the inputs. The sources in the police informed that the security of the Home Minister has been raised to Z-plus category.
The DGP refused to divulge whether the threat was from drug mafia or the terrorists, saying that the details of the case could not be revealed at this juncture but agreed to share them once the probe was completed.
He said that the probe into drug mafia-police nexus was being conducted in a scientific manner and that the case would not be diluted. He said that a police team would be sent to Switzerland to take statements of Ms Lucky (Amori) Farmhouse, the former girlfriend of Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, the fugitive drug dealer, after legal process was completed.
The Chief Minister said that he was not aware of the threat to the family of the Home Minister and that the issue was not discussed at the security meeting. He further said that he had just arrived from New Delhi and that he would take a brief on the issue later from the police. The Home Minister also refrained from making a statement on the issue saying that the police have just begun the probe and that he would speak on the issue only after he got the full report on the threat perception from the police. He said that he would in all probability be in a position to offer comment by Thursday (September 23).
Asked to comment on whether the threat was from drug mafia or the terror elements, Mr Naik further said that he was not aware of it. “Let the police find out something,” he said adding that he would offer comments on receiving the police report. He, however, admitted that security cover has been provided to his family.