Team Herald
PANJIM: Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, expressed his deep concern on Monday regarding the alarming rise in crime against women and other innocents, stating that the fear of the law among criminals is in a moribund state. In response to an incident involving lewd comments directed at a local woman in Calangute, Alemao remarked that such occurrences indicate that miscreants no longer fear the Khaki-clad police.
“It is very disturbing to witness tourists in our own Goa making lewd comments about our local women. The BJP govt has failed to address the growing trends of prostitution, leading tourists to feel emboldened to ask ‘aati kya’ to any woman in the coastal areas. We do not want such tourists who lack respect for women,” he stated.
“I condemn the incident in Calangute, where a local woman had to endure such a situation, with miscreants attempting to eve-tease her and making lewd remarks. If local women are not safe, what assurance can the BJP government provide to tourists visiting Goa?” he questioned.
“Two years ago, around 500 residents from Calangute and Baga protested against prostitution and the intimidation by touts. At that time, local women expressed their fears about the risks of going out in the evening. This has now become a reality. With prostitution rackets operating in coastal areas and beyond, tourists perceive these locations as red-light districts,” he pointed out.
“Goa was once renowned for its beauty, heritage, rich culture, and sense of community. The BJP is transforming Goa into a hub of prostitution, tout culture, intimidation, and crime. The fear of the law is diminishing because Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in his capacity as Home Minister, has failed to take these issues seriously,” the Congress leader stated.