Special force to guard tourists in Goa

Rape of a nine-year-old girl moves Goa government to form a special tourist security force to ensure safety of tourists

Rape of a nine-year-old girl moves Goa government to form a special tourist security force to ensure safety of tourists

Following the rape of a nine-year-old Russian girl, the Goa tourism department is on a serious damage control mode. The state government has recently decided to constitute a special tourist security force to ensure the safety of tourists.

Go goa; it's safe: The security force personnel will be posted round the clock at all tourists destinations. File pic

Managed by the tourism department, the force will include ex-servicemen, who will be posted as tourist wardens and officers at all tourists destinations, including beaches, temples, churches and shacks, round the clock.

Swapnil Naik, director, Goa Tourism, said, "Around 2.4 million tourists visit Goa every year out of which around four lakh are foreigners. We are in touch with the Rajya Sainik Board, who will help us in the recruitment drive."

Elaborating on the plan, Naik added, "The first phase of the pilot project will commence with 70 men. Later, the number will be increased and they'll also be provided with gadgets and weapons."

Naik added that the officers of the special security force will also ensure that the tourists visiting religious and historic places are soberly dressed. "Those wearing revealing outfits will be stopped at the entry point itself," he said.

A senior officer from the tourism ministry office, on the condition of anonymity, said, "The state government has already sanctioned a fund of Rs 4 crore to raise the new force. The Goa tourism industry is worth over Rs 700 crore and we do not want it to get affected by such untoward incidents. We will do everything possible to attract foregin tourists."

Bikini not allowed

In a bid to promote the state as family holiday destination, the tourism department has announced a ban on advertisements with bikini-clad women. Swapnil Naik, director of Goa Tourism, said, "We have decided not to use pictures of bikni-clad women in advertisements released by the state to promote tourism. u00a0 Besides, we'll also request private advertisers to refrain from doing so."

The case

On Thursday, the Goa police claimed to have made headway in the nine-year-old Russian girls' rape case. The cops disclosed the name of the suspect as Aman Bhardwaj, a 23-year-old Indian national. Besides, the cops have announced a reward of Rs 20,000 to those who help then nab the suspect. Meanwhile, the Russian consulate has provided all assistance to the victim and her mother and has even arranged a lawyer to pursue their case.

Excerpts of the police statement filed by victims mother
Pernem Police station
January 26, 2010

I the mother of the victim (34) a doctor from Moscow arrived in Delhi on January 1, 2010. We both came to Goa at Arambol and stayed at Sunny Guest House.
On 26/10/10, I along with my daughter went for swimming on sea at Colamb, Arambol at about 17.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs when I was resting on the bank of the sea, two unknown person of which one person having tall heigjht, about 30 years age went to the sea and started swimming with my child and other person about 20 years age approached me and started talking to me.
After sometime I saw towards my child at that time I found the said person was holding her in his arms tightly and my child was crying, as such I called out to my child but the said person was not leaving her. However my child rushed to me and narrated the incident, before I could understand and react, the 20 year old who was talkking to me tired to divert my mind by keeping me busy in his talk and in the meanwhile the tall man vanished from the sea. I made inquiries about the said tall man and the 20 year old replied that his name was Aman woking with a medical company and staying 3 kilometers from the Arambol Beach. Hence my complaint against both these person for necessary action.

Sub Inpsector Ajit Umarye of Pernem police station recorded the mother's statement and registered an offence under section 376 (rape) of Indian Penal Code.