Panaji, Nov 9 (PTI) A three-year-old girl, daughter of a balloon seller, was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unidentified man in a dilapidated building in North Goa district, leaving her in a critical condition, police said on Monday.
The child was found crying on Sunday evening outside the building near a taxi stand in Mapusa, 9 km from Panaji. A passerby noticed the child and rushed to help her, following which locals alerted the police.
The survivor was initially rushed to the Mapusa District Hospital in a critical condition and later shifted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Panaji for further treatment, a police spokesperson said.
The girl’s family sells balloons, and she had accompanied them to the Mapusa market for Diwali, a police official said.
Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta, who rushed to the spot late Sunday evening, said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the culprit.
The girl’s condition was stable, he said.
The Mapusa police have registered a case and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused, officials said.
Reacting to the incident, Goa Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar claimed “90 per cent” of such crimes in the tourist state are committed by “outsiders”.
Tawadkar termed the brutal incident as unfortunate, describing the perpetrator as a person with a “demonic mentality” and calling for stricter police enforcement to prevent such crimes.
Such crimes should not happen in Goa or anywhere else in the country, he said, adding “The person who has committed this crime has a demonic mentality.”
“Goa is a tourist state. 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, maintained 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 BJP minister emphasised on responsibility of parents in ensuring the safety of their children, saying society must collectively work towards protecting minors.
The Opposition Congress demanded a time-bound investigation into the crime and trial by a fast-track court, while calling for stronger measures to protect children.
Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly, Yuri Alemao, demanded that the perpetrator be arrested immediately.
“No delay, no leniency,” he said in a statement, adding the Opposition would pursue the case until justice was delivered.
The Congress leader urged the BJP government to ensure the child receives the best possible
medical care, counselling and family support.
Raising concerns over crimes against women and children in Goa, Alemao cited National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data to claim the state recorded 13 rape and child sexual abuse cases per lakh population in 2024, the highest among all states and more than three times the national average.
More than 61 per cent of the survivors were children, while the conviction rate in crimes against women stood at 9.4 per cent and over 91 per cent of cases remained pending, he further claimed.
“Goa, once known for safe streets, now carries this shameful distinction. Citizens feel they are on their own. The government must answer for this failure,” the Congress MLA stated.
He demanded the establishment of more fast-track courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, stronger policing and a time-bound action plan to protect minors.
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