MARGAO
The shocking rape incident of two minor girls brought to fore police patrolling along the Salcete coastal belt.
Three years after the Betalbatim gangrape put the spotlight on security of visitors along the beach stretch, police patrolling along the beach, especially during late hours has come back to haunt the men-in-uniform again.
District police Chief, SP Pankaj Kumar Singh pointed out that the police do have a system in place along the beach belt, which are frequented by the visitors. He, however, said there is always room for improvement, saying the police will definitely further strengthen the system to ensure the safety of the visitors.
When it was pointed out to him there was no police presence at the spot where the heinous crime had taken place in the wee hours of Sunday, the SP said the place where the incident had occurred is an isolated spot. “There may be isolated spots which cannot be patrolled by the police. However, we are trying to further fine tune a system which will strengthen the police presence along the beach belt”, he added.
Police sub-ordinates too pointed out that a system of patrolling is indeed in place at major beaches along the coastal belt. “We have in place a system of patrolling by the PCR vans and other modes to make the police presence felt on the beach belt”, remarked a senior police officer.
He added: “We have adequate staff at our disposal for patrolling along the beach belt. And, the same is being posted at certain spots along the belt”.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who is holed up in Delhi, while reacting to the rape incident at Benaulim beach, said he would request Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to give directions for intensification of police patrolling along the beach belt. “It was very shocking to learn of the rape of the two minor girls. I will take up the matter with the Chief Minister to increase the police presence along the entire beach belt”, he said.
Traditional fishermen from Benaulim and tourism stakeholder, Pele Fernandes said the rape incident should come as an eye opener for the government and the Goa police to increase the police presence along the beach belt.
“Such incidents should not happen. We have seen how the internal roads leading to the beaches are occupied by youngsters. The police should take cognizance of the situation”, Pele said.
The fishermen had a month ago nabbed a migrant after a hot chase after allegations of his inappropriate behavior with a foreign tourist. ‘The police presence will help in ensuring that nothing untoward happens at the beach belt, be it during day time or late hours”, he said.
Other stakeholders pointed out that police should patrol isolated and secluded beach spots on a regular basis as a precautionary measure. Similarly, patrolling during night time at the beach entrance should help check entry and exit of visitors at the beach belt, sources added.
