Rape incidents are an insult to state, says Goa tourism minister

Panaji, Jan 28(ANI): Goa tourism minister Mickky Pacheco on Thursday said that the string of rape incidents including that of a nine-year-old Russian girl at Panaji's Arambol Beach reflects the poor law and order situation of the State.

Pacheco said that the State was drawing a bad reputation because of the inefficiency of just a few ministers.

"Such incidents are an insult to Goa. Why should the state get a bad name only because of the inefficiency of a few ministers?" Pacheco said.

The National Congress Party (NCP) leader also held members of the ruling coalition partner, Congress, responsible for the deteriorating situation and asked the High Command in New Delhi to take action against them.

Pacheco revealed that he had moved a confidential file to the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat seeking to call for an urgent meeting of the senior officials of the State to discuss the issue.

Earlier, Goa police had announced the identity of the two suspects reportedly involved in the Arambol Beach rape case.

Goa's Inspector General of Police K.D. Singh said the names of the suspects were Aman Bharadwaj and Anil, and added that they were absconding.

The Goa government said it has sent a detailed report to the Centre in connection with the rape of a nine-year-old Russian girl.

"I had received a call from Union Tourism minister Kumari Selja who asked for a detailed report. The Chief Secretary, who was directed to compile it, has sent the report yesterday," Chief Minister Digamber Kamat said.

Condemning the rape, Selja has called it as "extremely sad and shameful" and demanded immediate action, noting the incident was contrary to the "Atithi Devo Bhava" (Guest is God) campaign and gives a bad name to the country.

The minor was allegedly raped on January 26.

Goa receives around 40,000 Russian tourists, and was rocked with the rape of a 25-year-old girl allegedly by a local politician on December 1 last year.

In another instance, two Russian girls had to hide in forest for almost four hours on Christmas day after a taxi driver allegedly chased them demanding sexual favours. (ANI)