A deeply disturbing and horrific incident has shaken North Goa, where an unidentified perpetrator allegedly sexually assaulted a three-year-old child in Mapusa, located just 9 kilometers away from Panaji. The young victim's family was working at the Mapusa market selling balloons during the Diwali festival when the incident occurred. On Sunday evening, a passerby spotted the toddler crying and in severe agony outside a dilapidated, abandoned building near the taxi stand, prompting immediate alerts to local residents and the police authorities.
Hospitalization and Ongoing Police Manhunt
Following the brutal crime, the victim was rushed in critical condition to the Mapusa District Hospital. After receiving initial medical attention, she was referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) for advanced care. North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Gupta personally inspected the crime scene and confirmed that the victim's condition is currently stable. The Mapusa police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and other relevant legal provisions. Authorities are currently scanning multiple CCTV camera footage recordings from the surrounding area to identify and apprehend the suspect swiftly.
Opposition Demands Fast-Track Court Trials
The heinous crime has triggered a political firestorm across the state. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Yuri Alemao has demanded the immediate arrest of the culprit and insisted that the trial be conducted within a strict timeframe inside a fast-track court. Citing NCRB data, he criticized the government over rising crimes against women and children in the state, while urging authorities to provide top-tier medical care and counseling support to the young survivor.
Minister Ramesh Tawadkar Remarks Spark Controversy
Reacting to the incident, Goa Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar labeled the perpetrator's mindset as demonic. However, his remarks generated a fresh controversy when he claimed that outsiders are involved in roughly 90 percent of such crimes committed in Goa. The minister urged law enforcement agencies to tighten security measures across the region while also emphasizing that the safety of children remains the collective responsibility of parents and society at large.
