WEDNESDAY, MAY 01, 2024
PRATIK PARAB
MARGAO: Cases of heinous crimes against minors and women have continued to rock the State of Goa signalling serious concerns about law and order in the State. The dastardly incident of rape and murder of the five-year-old girl in Vaddem and several house-breaking and theft cases has left Goans thinking that salt has been rubbed into their wounds.
The rape and murder of the five-year-old tool place on April 11. The very next day (April 12) a 15-year-old was raped in Curtorim.
The Victim Assistance Unit (VAU) in Goa reported that there were an average of two cases of crimes against women and children per day in August 2023. The majority of these cases were sexual abuse, with teenagers being the main victims. The report also noted a rise in cases of sexual harassment by teachers.
"Each agency is operating in isolation, though they are committed to tackling the problem. Their coordination and cooperation must improve so that child abuse victims are given maximum attention”, Emidio Pinho, VAU Incharge in September 23, was reported as saying.
In April two rapes, two kidnappings of minor girls and a case of stalking was registered in various police stations in Goa. On February 24, cases of rape and sexual assault against minor victims and women were registered. Comments on the law and order situation in the State going to dogs were making rounds on social media platforms after cases of rape and dacoities being registered every day irked Goans.
The rising trend started about five to six years ago. But the figures of as early as two years ago are shocking National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), as many as 73 rape cases were reported in the State in 2022, of which 57 victims were minor girls.
Of the 57 minor victims of rape cases registered under Section 376 of IPC in Goa, two are below six years of age, 12 between 6 and 12 years, 26 between 12 and 16 years and 17 between 16 and 18 years of age. In 93.2 per cent of the total rape cases, the accused was known to the victim.
Margao resident Vivek Naik said there is no fear of law enforcement agencies in Goa. “The burglary attempt that was caught on camera in Betalbatim is a glaring proof that there is no fear of law,” he said. “A five-year-old girl is raped and murdered and the government doesn’t even blink” he said.
People also raised the issue that thousands of migrants enter the State daily, but no record is kept.
“Do you want to make Goa by allowing gambling and bars and alcoholism in the State?” Naik asked.
Convenor of Bailancho Ekvott Auda Viegas said that she feels ashamed that Goa is seeing an exponential rise in crime. “Goa has become a place where children are being trafficked, illegally adopted, violated, kidnapped, and raped. We are shocked,” Viegas said.
“Rape of a child and murder is downright heinous and shouldn’t have happened” she added. “We cannot imagine the pain that the poor girl went through” Viegas said, while speaking regarding the Vaddem incident.
