Facing flak from the Opposition and activists over the increasing number of rape and assault cases in Goa, State BJP Mahila Morcha president Sulakshana Sawant said on Saturday the government cannot provide security to every individual.
There has been fresh outrage on the issue of women’s safety following the gang rape of a 20-year-old woman by three tourists at Betalbatim beach on May 25, and a minor being molested by tourists in North Goa a few days later.
Ms. Sawant, when asked at a press conference to comment on the issue, said, “If we go through the figures, the thing which is most significant is the mentality [of the criminal]. We need to change the mentality at the earliest. We cannot give protection to an individual. But an individual can act as a protector to any person in distress if he sees something wrong happening around. This does not happen often.”
Ms. Sawant said more rape cases are being registered now because more women are coming forward to report such crimes as they know action will be taken against the criminals.
She said that the women’s wing of the BJP would request the Tourism Department to install CCTV cameras on isolated beaches.