PANJIM: While ‘anti Romeo squads’ in BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh have made news, Goa Police feels the State does not need such a plan to deal with miscreants as the situation is comparatively better than in other parts of the country.
“Eve-teasing is rampant in certain states, not in Goa. However, any crimes against women are dealt with stringently, and we ensure criminals are behind bars and women are safe. The local police stations, particularly the women PS, are proactive in tackling the menace,” Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander told Herald.
Sunday’s incident of an alleged drunken man, Akram Quereshi, misbehaving with a young woman in the State capital is the latest example, whereas last month there was the rape and murder of a British citizen Danielle McLaughlin. The case had once again given Goa negative publicity internationally.
The police brass nonetheless claim that persons involved in any criminal activity are not spared. “In the recent offences against women, police sleuths have slapped serious charges against the accused persons. No one will be spared even if a small crime is committed in Goa,” the police chief asserted.
While the McLauglin case saw the immediate arrest of Vikat Bhagat, who eventually confessed to Canacona police of committing the brutal crime, Panjim police took into custody Quereshi on charges of attempted murder and outraging the modesty of a woman in the separate incident. Paul Raj Paneer, a native of Tamil Nadu was stabbed in his stomach when he tried to stop Quereshi from misbehaving with the woman, outside a garment store in Panjim. Passersby caught hold of Quereshi and called the police who took him into custody. Police have charged him under Section 307 (attempted murder), 354 (outraging modesty) and 323 (causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.
