Faced with pressure from child rights activists and foreign governments, the Goa government has decided to crack down on paedophilia and child abuse in the state. A new law that came into force in July says that people who are found in close proximity to minor children will be arrested and produced before a court and asked to prove their innocence.Goa DGP Seva Dass said the burden of proof lies on them. He added the law is expected to show results in the next few months when the tourist season begins.Sources say the law was enacted after the state was criticised for letting go of several persons accused of abusing minors after they were granted bail by local courts.However, child rights activists and British Government are not pleased and have called for a more pro-active effort. ‘‘The government needs to sensitise police, public prosecutors and teachers about the new law,’’ said Roland Martins who heads Jagrut Goenkaranche Fauj, an NGO. Martins said the government needs trained people working full-time to track paedophiles coming into Goa.Britain is also sceptical about Goa’s decision. A report published by the British Police Department says international paedophile rackets are targeting Goa and Kerala after law enforcers cracked down on child sex abusers in Thailand and other countries.However, there are some who have welcomed the move. Father Francisco Silveira, who is involved with Childline,says, ‘‘Social activists have held a number of workshops for police to sensitize them about paedophiles.’’
