Pacheco urges Ravi to ensure rule of law

Panaji, Oct 26 (UNI) Goa Tourism Minister Francisco Xavier Pacheco has asked the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, to ensure that a ''loud and clear message'' be sent in Goa that nobody was above the law, however mighty and influential he or she may be.

In a letter addressed to Mr Naik, with a copy marked to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, Mr Pacheco said the victims should get justice and the guilty should get punished. The law should be upheld in such a way as to instilling people, especially tourists', with confidence in the state's law enforcement agencies.

Mr Pacheco further said he wanted the Home Minister's assurance that recent cases like the alleged rape of a minor girl by ministers' kin, should get to their logical conclusion.

Such incidents affects the name and image of the state, he added.

He claimed to be receiving several calls from both domestic and international tourists, inquiring whether the state is safe for tourists and said he is having a hard time convincing them of Goa's safety.

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