'Some forces' trying to malign Goa: Digambar Kamat

Panaji, Mar 8 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said that ''some unknown forces'' were indulging in malicious attempts by projecting the state as an ''unsafe international tourist destination''.

He, however did not identify the forces. Mr Kamat's reaction comes in the backdrop of a slew of reports appearing in different media -- local, national and international.

Interacting with a team of reporters from Panaji, who called on him at his Margao residence to wish him on his 54th birthday, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the ''misinformation campaign''.

Mr Kamat said certain anti-Goan forces were maligning Goa by saying that the state was no longer the most sought after international tourist destination.

Referring to the suspicious death of a British girl recently, he said the second autopsy was being conducted today on demand of the girl's mother. The girl's body was found on North Goa's famous Anjuna beach.

Incidentally, BJP Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar had yesterday blamed the police administration for failure to check crime against tourists, resulting in eroding the image of Goa as a safe tourist destination.

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