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Scarlett murder case may hit Goa tourism badly

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Agencies

Posted online: Monday , March 10, 2008 at 04:01:53
Updated: Monday , March 10, 2008 at 04:23:02


Panaji, March 10: The tourism industry in Goa is dogged by the fear of losing business following wide publicity of the British teen death case, state Tourism Minister Fransisco Pacheco said on Monday.

"I am getting so many calls from places like Germany, UK and other places. They are apprehensive about coming to Goa following such cases," Pacheco told newspersons.

"This case has sent a wrong signal internationally. We will have to protect our image as a safe tourist destination through various travel marts, which we represent," he said.

Pacheco, a NCP legislator, said that so far there are no cancellations but the impact on the tourism industry would be visible only after few days. "It's only due to negligence of a few police officers that the case has been blown out of proportion," he alleged.

British national Scarlett Eden Keeling, was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18. The state police initially had passed on this case as a death due to drowning but later began investigating it as a murder following the second autopsy on her body.

Scarlett's family had alleged foul play in her death and her mother Fiona Mackowen, has been fighting for "justice to Scarlett".

Conceding that drug cartels are increasing their presence in the state, the minister said that the coastal belts of Anjuna, Baga, Vagator, Palolem, Calangute and others have become a safe destination for these peddlars.

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sami xec by sami on 12 Apr 2008

check this

Scarlett Keeing by Gerry Pinto on 20 Mar 2008

Scarlett Keeling, 15 year old, a juvenile within the purview of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2006, Goa Children's Act and in the only state in the country which hasa state Children's Commission, her name and privacy should have been protected, the Government of Goa and the public media must axplain this lapse and their failure.

Scarlette, i pray for ur soul by simi on 17 Mar 2008

i feel really sorry for poor scarlet and her mother, wish it had never happened. the government is doing everything to attract tourists and boast of goa as a great tourist destination. but what is the government doing to protect the tourists, who are a great source of income to the tourism industry??? This is the time to prove it!!!!!!!! Prove that the govt, if it invites tourists, has the responsibility to protect those tourists. Justice should be served!!!! Is this the India that has a tradition of "aditi devo bhava" what treatment did scarlett get?? is this ur way of treating "aditi devo bhava"?? disgusting india, disgusting!!!! please, if there are still good hearts around who haven't lost their values, stand up for her cause, the people in power who can make a change, and prove to the world that India still has good values and has the responsibility to punish the criminals. Make the world feel that goa is indeed a safe place, and that wrongdoers will be aptly dealt with!!!

Shes ALIVE by Scarlette on 16 Mar 2008

i am Scarlettes ghost......I AM GONNA KILL U!!well i wanted to catch your eye,i was murdered by Samsong ...and my Boyfreind Julio.!

Dont blame The police by Lisa on 16 Mar 2008

i feel sad too,but it was not very correct of her to go to a unknown Place with srangers,or take any drink from them,and it was extremly foolish of her mother to leave her in Goa with an unkown Tour guide..and going to Karnataka,if Scarlette was not wanting to go,she could have atleast not gone herself or forced her to go with her.As they are Quiet Poor,they could not afford to move her into a hotel which would be safe,it was the bad fate of the mother and daughter to face.and all this teaches us is we should never communicate with strangers,by doing such a stupid thing Scarlette has added another name to Goas Tourist s deaths.I hope Scarlette s Soul is reliefed.and i just wish she hadnt done such a thing.and the Goa Police is NOT to blame,its all the Mothers and Her daughters mistake.i have been living in goa for the past 2 years,im carefull,im alive.period.

to,lisa by blessing on 30 Mar 2008

I totally agree with lisa’s comment.In goa it is safe to roam freely.These non goans are responsible for whatever is happening eg:murder,rape,robbery.Scarlette being poor tried to earn her living by other means.She was use to taking drugs and alchohol.Her mother didnt support her,coz its a big family of nine children.Her mother would have take a harsh step before leaving the state.Why did she leave her daughter with her boyfriend?

Scarlette murder case by kiran on 15 Mar 2008

I feel extreme sympathy for the mother, she is made out to be the cause of the murder.Everyday the media is going all out to bring in new revelations about her wrongdoings, her poverty and hippie lifestyle.Is this fair in the face of the tragedy that she is facing? can any mother wish such a fate for her daughter?i think the press and the police are heartless, not understanding the grief and the added insult the lady must be undergoing..

Goa Lost its Identity by jyotindra vast on 14 Mar 2008

Goa has became a very safe place for drug mafias. It has already lost its` image as a best destination and now it has became the most unsafe place for the tourists.

Scarlet rape case - anjuna goa by Maria on 13 Mar 2008

If the minsiter is so worried on the impact of the case on tourisim in goa, he should stand up and support the mother in everyway possible to ensure the case is dealth with in a straight way without finding scape goats to cover the acutal cause of death. Everyone all over the world are shocked by the way the law enforcerces in goa are handling this case which means if they keep quite and not give justice to the family, they are only encouraging these offenders to further the crime rate in this beautiful haven. The first thing for the top heads to do is fire all the police officers involved in trying to give a wrong feedback on this case and proving to the entire world that justice still exists in this state. This will atleast prove to the tourists that if they are in any trouble the law in goa will still support them and they can feel safe.

Passing the buck by David on 12 Mar 2008

It is really shameful that the politicians and police are passing the blame onto the mother now. They are more concerned about money from tourism. How about caring for the tourist? Let us re-learn how to be human again.

Not Good by Rahul on 12 Mar 2008

GOA

Corrupted doctors n police by Lavanya on 12 Mar 2008

Why did the Goa police close the case as death due to drownin ? was it because they were corrupted by someone? How can the doctor give uch false report. ?Did he not see the bruises in the first autopsy itself?

Shame on you Goa by VG on 15 Mar 2008

Its a shame on Goa after all its the revenue from tourism that keeps it going how can they disregard tourists and their safety its a shame for them to have brought it down to this,for a young girl to have lost her life to make them wake up and smell the coffee as the past couple of years the government officials have only concentrated on getting rich thru bribes converting farm land into commercial building sites,accepting bribes from peddlers and harvesting international mafia to carry out sale of weapons and drugs,its really a shame for them to allow prostitution to prevail and also alot of ppl hanging around corners in lonely places doing nothing just waiting for prey to fall in their laps i wish the government would accept responsibiltiy and clean up before their short commings if they really cared theyd do something about it the whole world is watching its high time u pulled ur socks up and walked fast.its a shame when money rules our perception and judgement

Tourist Ripped off Too by Daksha on 11 Mar 2008

They also fleeced us on every journey. Their minimum charge Rs 150and 350 Rs Baga to Calangute!

Goa as a Holiday Resort. by Daksha Joshi on 11 Mar 2008

For me and my family we spent 6 days in Goa. And everday we thought OUR TAXI DRIVERS WERE ON A MISSION TO KILL US, THEIR PASSENGERS.

goa,holiday,spot by wellwisher on 30 Mar 2008

Plz,write..to...transport..minister.

Drugs by Raj on 11 Mar 2008

If the girl is confirmed for drug consumption,then for any drug abuser in this world, there is no safety for them or for others from them.No governement can give gurantee this.

Scarlett murder case, Goa Feb-March 2008 by Srinivas on 11 Mar 2008

Women and girls are not safe in MOST places in India. Reason: Corrupt police, nexus between police, politicians and local administration. EVERYWHERE. Look at the number of reported rapes in New Delhi, the capital of rapes in India.There is a growing anarchy across the country. All institutions have become corrupt and inefficient. The people will do well to take law into their own hands, and punish the wrong doers and police brutally.In this specific case, the cops and local admin may cite drugs and shove the murder under the carpet. Has India ever punished wrong doers? Let alone rapists. Its foreign minister escorted terrorists across the country. Its first PM didn't join UNSC because he wanted China to get there first! Indians, WAKE UP!

GOA by Rajesh on 11 Mar 2008

It seem this case comes as a shame to Goa Tourism. However it's to be noted that it happened to a girl who was very much involved in drugs and was found roaming around in the late night. I suspect the culprits also were on drugs.

GOA by Peter Edwards on 11 Mar 2008

Hey Rajesh,do you mean drugies can go on Murdering people as long as they are very much involved in Drugs and found roaming around in the late night. I guess you are an educated idiot

GOA by raji on 11 Mar 2008

Crime is all over the world,why to just p/u Goa, its very sad that there is a lost of an innocent life but just do not blame,indian people, country itself and its cities.I hope justice wiil be served and law and order will take its own cource.

Drug abuser's Charm by Rajesh on 17 Mar 2008

I am spending holidays in Goa with my friend and I saw how the tourists ( this man introduced himself as Jesse from Italy) those who are drug users( who knows sellers) tell good things about taking small quantity of drugs like hashish. When I told him it is not good , he has tried to tell about the good effects of it like it is meditation and nobody had died of consuming the drugs;;;Can you believe it.? I guess it is well planned strategy of gradually introducing innocent people to drugs. I think Only alert people can save some of the situations. Infact I became a villian as I tried to stop my friend for not to hob-nob with this guy...Sometimes I think all your efforts goes in vain if you cannot convince people whom you love.I saw local people were blaiming Scarlette's mother as how she had left her teenage daughter to travel with local and unknown people.I think may be teenagers and your love ones don't care much for their well wishers they think their own freedom is much more important. Atleast in this case it seems.Atleast my friend is safe and I am sure as a amture person not lured into trying any drugs

Tourism by Bhaskar Reddi on 11 Mar 2008

I was not surprised by this news. Goa's govt or the service providers don't care about the safety of the tourists.I stayed at LaCalypso for 3 days and it was big rip off by the hotel. I addressed a msg to the hotel,the travel agent viz Paramount Travels and PRO of Goa tourism about the rip off and asked for a refund for one day. Never heard from any of them.This had resulted the loss of 20 tourists from here in U.S.I feel bad for the working people. The roads stink and the drivers speed as if it is racecar speedway.My wife and I simply escaped from Baga with no untoward incidents. Just lucky.By the way, GOA,frankly, encourages prostitution instead of curbing it because people come there in the name of tourism.

goa,beautiful by wellwisher on 30 Mar 2008

Goans should not be blamed for all this.Few years back goa was immaculate but now spoiled by Tourist.

beautiful,goa by benfer77@yahoo.com on 30 Mar 2008

Goans should not be blamed for all this.Twenty years back goa was immaculate but now spoiled by Tourist.

beautiful,goa by wellwisher on 30 Mar 2008

Goans should not be blamed for all this.Twenty years back goa was immaculate but now spoiled by Tourist.

No Rule of Law - Politicians Shame by Concerned Indian on 11 Mar 2008

I am sure there will be some BIG POLITICIAN behind the this drug cartel. Like all big crimes in India this drug ring if investigated properly will surely lead to some Political connection. Mr Pacheco first we need to build more respect for the Rule of Law in India then think of improving ground level situation.

No Rule of Law by Peter Edwards jnr on 11 Mar 2008

I certainly agree with you. AS a foreigner, I feel that India should take a leaf and learn from Kerela.

INDIA TOURISM TO HELL by AMAR on 11 Mar 2008

JUST IMAGINE THE FATE OF THIS CRIME . THE NEWS IS ON BBC , CNN AND FOX . SHAME INDIA , SHAME GOA POLICE AND DOWN WITH INDIA TOURISIM

Shame for GOA POLICE by J S CHANDHOK on 11 Mar 2008

AS an Indian I feel ashamed of Indian Police and specially GOA Police to conceal the facts and help culprits. I think the police commisioner should be sacked and publically insulted. A SHAME FOR GOA POLICE !!!!!

Scarlett Keeling by Dr G Ladner on 11 Mar 2008

Too late Mr Pacheco, my wife have today, CANCELLED our Easter holiday to Goa. Instaed we have opted for Sri Lanka.

pacheco borod. by mike on 11 Mar 2008

when u r already corrupted n buys the law than how come u teach lessons to media.

pathetic people by dileep chandran on 11 Mar 2008

I have to tell you, in India people have to learn how to respect women, and to acknowledge them as even citizens. The sad story is that in India, people are still living in the 18 th century helding up the inequality and unfairness towards women. There is no justification for this guesome acts. And as an Indian I would not suggest any of my friends to go to India, because Indian men are pathetic, rude and impolite.

Goa? Why Go-a? by Indian on 10 Mar 2008

I have seriously no clue how goa can be a tourist spot. Surely no persons can visit goa without an incident. The sale of booze, child prostitution and drugs is all khullam khulla. The beaches are all occupied with drunk people and u will probably find atleast 10 used condoms per square foot. Its yukky and its lawlessness at its peak. I am sure my fellow countrymen who have familes and have visited goa would agree. In total there is no law and order in that place.

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