PANAJI
Director General of Goa Police Jaspal Singh has reacted strongly to Canada’s safety advisory while pointing at only three cases against foreign nationals since 2022. In fact, he highlighted that the most recent case against a Canadian citizen was way back in 2015 with no subsequent incidents reported.
In a statement released on Thursday, Singh dismissed safety concerns, emphasizing that crime statistics contradict the advisory’s claims.
“In the current year till September 15, 2023, there has only been one incident where a foreign women tourist belonging to the Netherlands was a victim. The accused was arrested. Similarly, in 2022, there were only two cases - one relating to a Russian national and the other to a British national. In both the cases the accused were immediately arrested,” he said.
The DGP further stated that the advisory which is a part of an overall general advisory is not based on facts and hence malicious.
“Foreign tourists, particularly women, have always preferred Goa as a favourite destination on account of safety and security. Therefore, the Canadian advisory is not based on facts. Particularly, seven million tourists visit India every year which is a testimony to the safe and secure environment of Goa. Moreover, the high diplomatic and consular staff belonging to various countries who visit Goa have always complimented Goa on the safe and secure environment it provides to tourists visiting Goa from all parts of the world,” he said adding,
“It shows that this advisory is malicious, malafide and not based on facts and appears to have been issued on account of extraneous reasons.”
