No sign of deterrence as number of rapes reported sees a marginal dip in South Goa

MARGAO: In the year 2023, 34 rape cases were registered in South Goa which incidentally was one less than those registered in 2022, when 35 such cases were registered in the district.

Victims of these cases last year included minor girls, married women and some of the victims were kidnapped and even taken outside the State.

To the credit of the police, all the rape cases registered in 2023 have been detected and the culprits not only arrested but in some cases even the charge sheet has been filed under the relevant provisions of law.

It may be recalled that one student from Cuncolim was kidnapped last year, but the police not only succeeded in rescuing the girl from Delhi, but also arrested the youngster who had kidnapped and then allegedly raped her.

The highest number of such cases were registered at Maina-Curtorim and Verna police stations, as each of them registered 6 cases. While Cuncolim, Fatorda, Quepem and Colva police stations registered one rape case each, no such cases were registered at Vasco Railway, Dabolim and Collem police stations.

A police officer disclosed that in most cases, the culprit was known to the victim and were lured with the proposal of marriage, employment, etc. These cases are attributed to the influx of migrants due to rapid development particularly in rural areas.

In 2022, total rape cases registered in South Goa were 35, with Verna again topping the ranking having registered 8 such cases. Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem police stations registered one case each.

In 2021 the number of rape cases registered in Salcete taluka alone were 13, with Cuncolim police station registering the highest number being 5, followed by Margao police station, where 3 cases were registered. Maina-Curtorim and Colva police stations registered 2 cases each and Fatorda police station registered one rape case that year. In all these cases, the accused were arrested and charge sheeted.

Nine rape cases were registered in 2020, of which 3 each were registered at Maina-Curtorim and Cuncolim police stations, two cases were registered by Margao police station and one at Fatorda police station.

In 2019, altogether 11 rape cases were registered in Salcete of which Margao police station registered 4, followed by Colva police who registered 3, while 2 cases were registered by Maina-Curtorim police and one each by Cuncolim and Fatorda police stations from January to September that year.