Naik's statement comes in the wake of arrest of Sambu Beck, 25, a top Naxal leader of Maowadi Trishul Manch wanted by Orissa police in cases of kidnapping, dacoity and armed robberies.
Goa home minister Ravi Naik today said the coastal state has no threat from Naxalism.
"We do not have any threat from the Naxalism. It would also not proper to say that Naxalites were taking shelter in the state," Naik told reporters on the sidelines of annual passing out parade of police training school at Valpoi, 60 kms away from here.
Naik's statement comes in the wake of arrest of Sambu Beck, 25, a top Naxal leader of Maowadi Trishul Manch (MTM) wanted by Orissa Police in several cases of kidnapping, dacoity and armed robberies from Mapusa town yesterday.
Seventeen others were also arrested for harbouring Beck in a joint operation by Goa police crime branch and anti-narcotic cell (ANC) wing.
Naik said police have taken swift action after they received information about Beck from Orissa police. He said police have been asked to cross check antecedents of all the Orissa people working in unorganized sector in the state.
Goa's fishing and real estate sector has huge presence of Oriya people.
Director general of police Bhimsen Bassi said, "Goa is not a safe heaven for the Naxalites."
"We have arrested 18 people but all of them are not Naxalites. They have been arrested for habouring Beck," Bassi said.
Police sources said Orissa police have already arrived in the state to take Beck's custody. Beck had fled Orissa after killing a man from his own village, they said.
Orissa police are also expected to arrest one Rajendra (known only by his first name), who is Beck's accomplice.
"It will take couple of days to get the transit remand," a senior Goa police officer said.
After handing over of two accused, Goa police will probe details of 16 others, who were picked up from various localities of Bhoma and Old Goa villages.
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