MARGAO: Total 30 cases of kidnapping minor children were registered in South Goa police stations under the Goa Children’s Act 2003, mostly involving minor girls. Out of these, 27 cases were solved.
Most of the cases were filed in Vasco, Verna, Maina-Curtorim, Colva, Ponda, Fatorda amongst other locations in the district.
A maximum number of seven cases of kidnapping were registered by Verna and Vasco police stations respectively, while five were registered by Maina-Curtorim police station. Three cases were registered by Colva police station, while two cases each were registered by Fatorda, Quepem, Ponda amongst others. In these few cases, school children were also kidnapped.
Police claim that, in most of these cases, the accused have been arrested and some have been charge-sheeted. There were also instances wherein minor girls were kidnapped and sexually abused.
A police officer, who has investigated such cases, said that in cases of sexual assault on a child, the investigating authorities have to ascertain the need to medically examine the child victim in consultation with the medical authority. In cases of child abuse or grave sexual assault on a child, such medical examination of the victim child has to be compulsorily done.
City advocate Amaranth Desai said, “A child abuse and kidnapping victim should be assured of a safe environment. A safe environment is an environment in which he/she will not be abused in any way and his/her development will be nurtured.”
