A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unidentified man in North Goa, with police launching a massive manhunt to nab the accused.
According to reports, the child was found crying outside a dilapidated building near a taxi stand in Mapusa, 9 km from Panaji.
A passerby alerted the locals, after which the child was taken to the Mapusa District Hospital in a critical condition and later shifted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Her condition is reportedly stable.
A case has been registered at Mapusa police station, and efforts are underway to trace the culprit, said Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta.
Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress took a swipe at the state government over the incident and demanded a time-bound investigation and a fast-track trial.
"No delay, no leniency," Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly, Yuri Alemao, said in a statement.
The Congress leader urged the BJP-led state government to ensure the child receives the best medical care, counselling and family support, while protecting her identity.
Alemao further cited the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data to claim that the state recorded about 13 rape and child sexual abuse cases per lakh population in 2024.
"Goa, once known for safe streets, now carries this shameful distinction. Citizens feel they are on their own. The government must answer for this failure," he said.
