PANAJI, NOVEMBER 12: Expressing serious concern over the recent incidents of sexual assault involving minor girls, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), Youth Congress, Mahila Congress and other frontal organisations marched to the Goa Police Headquarters in Panaji on Thursday, demanding stronger preventive policing, swift justice and accountability from the state government.

The protesters raised slogans of “Suraksha Badhao, Beti Bachao” and condemned the recent incidents reported in Mapusa, Canacona and Curchorem. A delegation led by GPCC Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar and Youth Congress President Adv. Archit Naik submitted a memorandum to Director General of Police Alok Kumar, demanding immediate intervention.

Addressing the media, Panjikar claimed that crimes involving sexual abuse of women and children had increased by 63 per cent over the past five years. He also cited figures suggesting that Goa’s crime rate against women stood at 13.3 per cent compared to a national figure of 4.3 per cent. These figures were presented by Congress and require independent verification.

Questioning the effectiveness of the Home Department, Panjikar said the government could not claim success merely by arresting accused persons after crimes had occurred.

“What is the use of slogans like ‘Beti Bachao’ and ‘Nari Shakti’ when our daughters are not safe? The government must explain what preventive measures it has taken to protect women and children,” he said.

He stressed that preventing crimes was equally important as investigating them and demanded greater accountability from police authorities.

Youth Congress President Adv. Archit Naik alleged that the deteriorating law and order situation was damaging Goa’s reputation as a peaceful and safe tourist destination. Describing the situation in strong terms, he warned that repeated incidents of sexual violence were creating fear among residents and could adversely affect tourism.

Naik demanded intensified police patrolling, better surveillance, strict implementation of child protection laws and action against officials found negligent.

GPCC spokesperson Adv. Shabnam Khan criticised the government over what she described as ineffective implementation of laws protecting women and children. She emphasised the need for better coordination between the police, government departments and child protection agencies.

Former Mahila Congress President Adv. Pratima Coutinho questioned the silence of BJP women leaders over the incidents.

“Women’s safety must be above party politics. Why are BJP women leaders silent when innocent girls are becoming victims of such heinous crimes?” she asked.

Coutinho demanded fast-track investigations and trials in cases involving minors, strict punishment for those convicted and adequate protection and assistance for survivors and their families.

The memorandum sought impartial and time-bound investigations into the recent cases, action against negligent police personnel, increased night patrolling, effective enforcement of the POCSO Act and a comprehensive review of the state’s law and order situation.

The delegation also demanded a written action-taken report within seven days, detailing the measures initiated by the police.

Among those participating in the protest were GPCC General Secretary Everson Valles, Minority Department Chairman Nazir Khan, Social Media Department Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, district presidents Shashank Narvekar, Mangaldas Naik and Rajesh Verekar, spokesperson Vivek D’Silva, Saeesh Aroskar, Pralay Bhagat and several other Congress functionaries.

Congress leaders maintained that the government’s responsibility does not end with registering FIRs and arresting suspects. They insisted that the real test of governance lies in preventing crimes, protecting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that women and children can live without fear.

The party warned that it would continue raising the issue until concrete measures were implemented to improve women’s and children’s safety across Goa.