the goan I network
MARGAO
The gang rape of the 20-year old girl from Salcete by the three tourists from Madhya Pradesh evoked anger and outrage amongst locals, with TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai demanding exemplary
punishment for the rapists and a need to re-orient Goa’s tourism.
Benaulim NCP MLA Churchill Alemao also joined in to demand police patrolling at junctions headed to the beach to instill a sense of security and safety for the women folk.
The Aam Aadmi Party too condemned the incident, calling it shameful and a blot on the dignity of women, while demanding a gram sabha to discuss women’s safety at Betalbatim.
While the Goa police received kudos and appreciation for cracking the case within 24 hours, the TCP Minister said time has come for Goa to think only about welcoming quality tourists to the state. “What’s this tourism all about if our women will not be secure in the state? We should take a call on the nature of tourists visiting the state. In the past, I had made a statement that Goa should insist on quality tourists and not quantity. We should not welcome tourists who do not benefit the state, but are a danger to our women,” he said.
Demanding exemplary punishment for the rapists to send a strong message to the rest of the country, the TCP Minister said the case should be fast tracked and the accused handed out punishment as per law. “I feel the police should think of some measures that would send a strong message to the rest of India that such anti-social and criminal activities will not be tolerated, especially when it comes to our women,” he added.
“There are many scenic spots along our coast and beaches where couples go. It is not illegal for them to spend time on the beach. I think such anti-socials should be tackled by the womenfolk in the future. I think exemplary punishment is the need of the hour,” he said.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao while praising the Goa police for the quick breakthrough in the case underlined the need to set up police pickets at junctions leading to the beach belt to instill a sense of security amongst beach goers. “What has happened at Betalbatim is shocking and highly condemnable. The police should come out with measures to instill confidence amongst women,” Churchill demanded.
Meanwhile, the Nuvem unit of AAP led by Ramiro Mascarenhas and Brian Rodrigues met the sarpanch of the Betalbatim village panchayat demanding that the gram Sabha should discuss the safety of women on the beaches at Betalbatim. Decrying the failure on part of the panchayat to illuminate the village despite tall assurances last October during a special inspection carried out of the village areas in the MLA’s presence, AAP said illumination should be taken up on top priority and the police should be requested to increase patrolling in the area.
Later, the delegation also visited the Colva Police station and also the DySP’s office demanding quick action
against the culprits so that conviction can be obtained at the earliest.
