Team Goemkarponn
Porvorim: Public anger spilled onto the streets of Porvorim on Wednesday as hundreds of residents staged a protest following the arrest of a local man accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl.
Men, women, senior citizens and youth gathered to condemn the incident and demand stringent action against the accused, identified as Basavraj, a neighbour of the victim. Protesters said the incident has shaken the sense of safety in the locality and called for decisive measures to prevent such crimes.
According to police, the accused allegedly gained the trust of the minor and sexually exploited her. He is also accused of threatening the victim by using photographs stored on his mobile phone to blackmail her into silence.
Based on a complaint, police registered an offence under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was arrested and produced before the court, which remanded him to six days of police custody for further investigation.
During the protest, residents demanded that the accused be expelled from the village and the State, asserting that individuals accused of crimes against children should not be allowed to remain in the community.
Protesters urged the authorities to ensure a swift and transparent investigation and to send a strong message that crimes against minors will be dealt with firmly.
