MARGAO: Condemning the “alarming” increase in crimes against children, Bailancho Ekvott threatened to file an intervention petition if the accused in the Siolim rape case was granted bail. It also alleged that police were going slow with the investigation and had allowed the accused to abscond and file for anticipatory bail.Auda Viegas of Bailancho Ekvott claimed that many crimes against children were reported every week, and the number was only increasing. She also criticized police for having no breakthroughs in many serious cases.
The NGO demanded that police take suo moto cognizance of crimes against children and urged the education department and school authorities to ensure that schools were safe for children. “Cases involving children don’t just demand proper investigation, but also conviction of the perpetrators. The government should ensure conviction in cases where charges have been proved against the accused,” said Auda, adding, “Police are duty-bound to act on complaints regarding sexual offences. When a child names the abuser, police have to apprehend the culprit. People who disclose the victim’s name in morchas and demonstrations should also be taken to task.”
Auda also recollected the Vasco school rape case, which is still unsolved.
