PANAJI
The National Confederation for Human Rights, Goa (NCHRO-Goa) Unit condemns the recent incident of rapes of two young girls at the Benaulim beach. An innocent weekend outing by two teens, aged 16 and 14, and their friends ended up in tragedy. The men involved had posed as police personnel. In the entire investigation; this aspect must also be probed. NCHRO also takes stern note of the Chief Minister’s callous disregard for better policing and instead blaming parents rather than law enforcement for the crime.
Goan society drew consolation from the fact that the assailants were quickly detained by the Colva police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Goa Children’s Act, besides rape and other offenses under the IPC. Five days after the incident, further steps in line with POCSO, GCA, and IPC that should have been taken by now, have not been carried out. The delay raises eyebrows, says NCHRO-Goa unit press release.
The Chief Minister has proceeded to lecture parents about enforcing discipline. That has enraged citizens. How parents manage children is a matter between parents and their wards. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is not the parent of the Goan people to be advising them. He should also remember that girls are entitled to their own liberties. He should be making sure that men who misbehave with women are sternly dealt with and punished under law, the press release adds.
With alarming frequency, there are rapes, assaults, thefts, murders, and all manner of crimes in Goa. In the face of this, the Government seems to be crippled. The Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio asks audaciously why citizens blame the police. Why not? Law and order is crumbling in the State. The people need answers from the Chief Minister, accompanied by swift and firm action. The Chief Minister must guarantee that the law and order machinery protects the public. Had only the Colva police been alert and agile, this whole crisis may just have been averted, the press release concludes.
