Panaji: Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday termed the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Mapusa an unfortunate incident, describing the perpetrator as a person with a “demonic mentality” and calling for stricter police enforcement to prevent such crimes.
Reacting to the incident, Tawadkar said such crimes should not happen in Goa or anywhere else in the country. “The one who has committed this crime has a demonic mentality,” he said.
“Goa is a tourist state. We have seen that people from outside the state come here, and 90 per cent of people involved in such cases are those who have come to Goa from outside,” he claimed.
He, however, said people could not be stopped from coming to Goa to earn their livelihood.
“The government is playing its role to control such crimes. Police should also tighten enforcement in the state to prevent such incidents,” he said.
The minister also stressed the responsibility of parents in ensuring the safety of their children, saying society must collectively work towards protecting minors.
The incident came to light on Sunday evening when the three-year-old girl was found crying outside a dilapidated building near a taxi stand in Mapusa, North Goa, around 9 km from Panaji.
According to police, the child’s family sells balloons, and she had accompanied them to the Mapusa market for Diwali celebrations.
A passerby noticed the child and rushed to help her, following which locals alerted the police. She was initially taken to Mapusa District Hospital in critical condition and later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Police said her condition was stable.
Mapusa police have registered a case against an unidentified person and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify and trace the accused. North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta visited the spot on Sunday evening and said efforts were underway to apprehend the culprit.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao demanding a time-bound investigation, a fast-track trial and stronger measures to protect children in the state.
