Goa police promise new security crackdown
GOA – Indian police have arrested at least 40 people in a crackdown on suspected drug dealers and other criminals in Goa following a pate of attacks on tourists, a top police officer said.
Scarlett Keeling, a 15-year-old British girl, was sexually assaulted and murdered last month prompting criticism of the police for failing to protect her and others visiting the popular tourist destination.
A German woman was molested on a beach last week, police said.
“I will be ruthless, no one can take Goa for granted,” Kishan Kumar, the inspector general of police told Reuters, referring to the drive against criminals.
“Anybody lurking in the beaches after midnight with suspicious intent will have to face lot of questioning from now on.”
Keeling’s case also highlighted the safety of tourists in India and the easy availability of drugs, especially in Anjuna beach, famous for drug and booze parties, and where Keeling’s body was eventually found.
Two people have been arrested in the case so far. Police said that Keeling was raped and then left to die.
At least 126 foreign nationals have died in Goa in the past two years, 40 of them British, officials said.
The Indian media have severely criticised the police for not doing enough to protect tourists and the Indian government now say they could employ ex-military personnel to protect tourists in beaches around the country.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events