This Article is From Jan 28, 2010

Goa rape attempt: Russia wants action

Panaji: Russia wants action in the Goa rape attempt case involving a 9-year old girl. It has threatened to issue an advisory against visiting the state.

Goa is once again in the news for wrong reasons. The state has been rocked by allegations of attempt to rape by a 9-year-old Russian girl.  The girls' family has filed a case.

Her mother says it was an Indian tourist who attacked the girl.

The Russian embassy has demanded action. Reacting sharply to the alleged rape of a minor Russian girl in Goa, Russia has called for stringent action. Failing which it would ask its citizens to refrain from visiting Goa.

In a strongly worded statement, the Russian embassy said, "We are shocked and deeply outraged by the reports about the disgusting incident in India's well-known resort in Goa, when a 9-year-old child from Russia became another victim of a rapist. The Embassy reiterates its grave concern over increasing crimes against Russians in Goa."

"We expect that the Indian authorities to immediately take strict and efficient measures to ensure the safety of Russian citizens. Otherwise, we will have no other option but to recommend Russian tourists to refrain from visiting Goa," the embassy statement added.

The embassy pointed out that the investigation of the criminal assault and rape of a 25-year Russian woman last December was being conducted "inefficiently."

The state government has sent report to Centre on the case. It has said they would do all they can to catch the culprits.

Union Tourism minister Kumari Selja and the national commissions of women and children also voiced their concern over the deteriorating law and order in the state.

They urged the state government to exercise greater care for safety of tourists. This comes close on the heels of similar "outrage" expressed by Russia on this and other incidents.

The tourism ministry is planning to take up the issue of safety of tourists in a regional conference in Goa in March.  
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