Team Herald
PANJIM: Amidst high voltage drama pan-Goa regarding the rape of two minors at Benaulim beach, Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Kumar Meena said that crime cases in the State are being taken seriously. He said that in almost all the cases the accused are immediately arrested.
“We have immediately registered cases and arrested the accused (referring to the Benaulim incident). Law will take its own course. We are taking it very seriously. We have already directed officials to investigate the case on merit,” he told the media outside the Assembly Complex on Thursday.
Goa Police has further intensified patrolling and Colva Police Station has been given additional staff to monitor activities around beaches.
“We have already intensified patrolling. I have already directed my staff to conduct more patrolling. We have provided Colva Police Station more staff and vehicles. We are installing CCTV cameras on the beaches at Colva. We are trying to make all our beaches safe,” he said.
In May 2018, a similar incident had occurred at Betalbatim beach wherein a woman was gang raped during the late evening hours. The three accused from Madhya Pradesh were identified and arrested in a swift move by the police.
Meena said police were taking prompt action in any of the cases and the accused were being arrested immediately.
To strengthen patrolling, the government has allotted 35 more vehicles adding to its current fleet of patrolling four wheelers. The Police Department has also intensified the recruitment process. The DGP said with the help of government, the department is taking every step to ensure safety in Goa.
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Govt staff involved in Benaulim rape suspended, will be terminated
PORVORIM: Rajesh Mane, accused in the minor rape case at Benaulim, and working as a driver with the State Agriculture Department, has been placed under suspension for his alleged involvement in heinous crime.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday placed the suspension letter of Mane on the Floor of the House. “We have suspended the government staff… termination will follow,” he told the House.
Sawant also brought on record that the main accused Ishwar Makwana, involved in the 2018 Betalbatim gang-rape case, is still absconding as per police records, while
his family claim he died due to TB.
“Police went three times to Madhya Pradesh, at his residence. His family has declared him dead. According to his family, he died of TB. But we have not taken that on record for now,” Sawant said.
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Citizens slam alleged political interference
MARGAO: A South Goa politician has come under criticism from the people for alleged attempts to save one of the accused in the Benaulim gang rape case that occurred on Saturday night.
Citizens have expressed anger over the alleged attempt by a senior politician to call up the police asking them to avoid the arrest of one accused, who is a close aide of the political leader.
When Herald contacted a senior police officer from Salcete, he refused to comment on the issue. “Now, the case is with the Women’s Cell and they will be
investigating further. All four culprits have already been arrested,” the officer said.
However, people from the neighbourhood of the accused alleged that one of them was closely associated with a senior politician and the family members of the accused had approached the politician on hearing the incident.
Of the four accused, three reside at Zorivaddo, Davorlim, while one is from Housing Board area.
