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." Read Next Story Indra Nooyi seeks women's quota at Davos› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT