Goa Governor B.V. Wanchoo said Wednesday that crimes against women and girls can lower the state's image and name, and are causing him "worry and anxiety".
Wanchoo's remarks come against the backdrop of a spurt in sex crimes against minor children, both boys and girls, reported from various places across the state.
Expressing his deep and serious concern over the frequent occurrence of grave and heinous crimes, Wanchoo said in his Goa Statehood Day message: "Such incidents highlight the degradation of traditional values of society."
"This new trend of crimes in a small state like Goa has the potential to lower its image and fair name. This is an unfortunate and sad situation which causes considerable worry and anxiety," Wanchoo said.
Calling for a well coordinated and a sustained effort to redress the issue, Wanchoo asked Goans to be careful and vigilant to prevent such acts in an otherwise "highly civilised society, but also as a popular global tourist destination".
