Team Herald
PANJIM: The horrific gang-rape of a mentally-challenged woman from West Bengal, allegedly by six unidentified persons in a public toilet at Baga, has exposed the reluctance of law enforcing agencies in providing shelter to homeless people.
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The incident has also revealed the failure of government agencies to use shelter home facilities designated for persons living on the streets in Goa.
Superintendent of Police North Goa Nidhin Valsan said, “We have been referring victims and persons in need of shelter to the designated shelter homes as and when needed. We have been booking cases, rounding up such persons living on the streets and sending them to shelter homes. In fact, it is the police, who took the victim woman to give her medical attention.”
Director of Social Welfare, Sandhya Kamat said, “We have no scheme to provide shelter to the homeless. However, a scheme in the pipeline and a budgetary provision will be made for the same.”
Donald Fernandes of the NGO Street Providence said, “Goa Police have become lethargic towards the people living on the streets.”
Donald said, “They have become lethargic, especially to the ones, who are mentally challenged. I made endless representations to the police to tackle these persons. However, we are failing as a society and system to take care of the homeless.”
Meanwhile, SP Valsan informed that the process to hand over the gang-rape case to Women’s Police Station, Panjim is underway.
SP Valsan said, “We are awaiting reports of the medical examination as well.”
It may be recalled that the horrific gang-rape of the 38-year-old mentally challenged woman at Baga came to light on Sunday. The police have registered an offence against unknown persons and the victim is undergoing treatment in IPHB at present.
The victim has alleged that she was raped at Baga between February 18 and 20 by six unknown persons. A team of Police Inspector and Sub Inspector, doctor and NGO jointly recorded the statement of the victim, who had first confessed before the doctor of having been robbed and later raped. The Calangute Police have registered an offence of robbery and rape against unknown persons.
