Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Barely days after a minor girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Mapusa, triggering widespread public outrage, another disturbing case involving a child has come to light in Goa. A four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted at Shristhal in Canacona, prompting the police to arrest a 24-year-old man in connection with the crime.
The accused, identified as Husain Isar, a native of Darbhanga, Bihar, was arrested by the Canacona police and booked under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to sources, the accused was working at a fabrication unit in Shristhal and had reportedly joined the establishment only a few days ago. He was staying in the neighbourhood of the victim.
The police arranged for the child to undergo a medical examination before arresting the accused. Further investigation into the case is underway.
The latest incident has triggered fresh concerns over the safety of children, particularly in residential and peripheral areas, coming as it does so soon after the Mapusa case sparked anger and demands for stronger measures to protect minors.
Reacting strongly, Canacona social worker and youth leader Shubham Komarpant condemned the alleged assault and urged the government to adopt a stringent approach towards crimes against children, demanding the harshest punishment for those found guilty.
Komarpant also called for the expansion of Pink Force patrolling to peripheral areas, pointing out that police vigilance should not be confined to beaches and market areas.
“Government must start Pink Force patrolling in peripheral areas too and not just beaches and markets. We citizens also have to be vigilant of suspicious people moving in and around our neighbourhoods,” he said.
RGP leader Prashant Pagui also reacted angrily to the incident, taking a swipe at the government’s development agenda and its proposed projects.
“Now, invite more migrants by bringing film city and other big projects in the name of development… but only for mission commission!” Pagui remarked.
With another disturbing case emerging within days of the Mapusa incident, questions are being raised over preventive policing, neighbourhood vigilance and the urgent need to strengthen safeguards for children across Goa.
