Goa is safe for tourists
13 Jan 2008.
PANAJI: The Goa government
on Sunday said that the state is safe for the tourists and two cases related
to abuse of foreign tourists "were isolated instances."
"We will act against the
accused with strong hand. But we want to make it clear to the guests that
Goa is safe and their safety is our priority," Goa's Tourism Minister Fransisco
Pacheco said.
Goa, which receives around
24 lakh tourists, of which four lakh are foreigners, registered two different
complaints of molestation and rape.
In the first case reported
earlier this week, a Russian woman had claimed that a local shack owner
tried to molest her while she was on her way back to hotel following which
the accused was arrested.
In another case, on Friday,
a British woman was allegedly assaulted and raped at the outskirts of Panaji
by an unknown person.
Tourism is a major industry
in this state famous for its sandy beaches.
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"Goa has been receiving
foreign tourists for many years now. We have not received such complaints
earlier. We are concerned over these two cases and police are on their
job," Pacheco said.
He said the police are
keeping special watch on the tourist places, as the season is at its peak.
"There is no reason to
worry. Goa is safe and it is our responsibility to ensure that the tourists
have pleasurable an memorable holiday here," Pacheco said. . |
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