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Goa tightens church security after Sri Lanka serial blasts
Goa has around 200 churches and chapels many of which were built as far back as the 16th Century. Many of them are major tourist draws which could make them possible terror targets.
Security for churches in Goa was tightened on Sunday after chief minister Pramod Sawant instructed the police to do so in the wake of the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka which killed over 200 people.
Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference, Sawant also condemned the attacks, which took place on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.
“I spoke with the DGP. I will be speaking to the Archbishop as well,” Sawant said when asked about measures the state government was taking in the wake of the attacks in Sri Lanka.
Goa has a 26% Catholic population mainly concentrated in the coastal areas. The state has around 200 churches and chapels many of which were built as far back as the 16th Century.
The chief minister chaired a meeting of security officials in which the security preparedness was reviewed.
Besides being places of worship frequented on religious occasions, churches in Goa are also a huge draw for tourists both local and foreign making them possible targets for terror organizations.
