Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Diversionary tactics?

The Scarlette Keeling murder muddle, after a series of twists and turns, seems to have taken a backseat with the focus now on the war of words between her mother, Fiona Mackeown, and Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik. With the police goofing up the case, a request for an unbiased inquest and the plea for justice from the mother were bound to reflect on the sorry state of policing in the State.

The hurried tying up of many loose ends by the local police resulting in the ‘cracking of the case’ in a jiffy did little to enhance their reputation. Anyone in Ms. Mackeown’s situation would have reacted to her teenage daughter’s death under mysterious circumstances exactly as she did. The Home Minister’s tirade against her can only be seen as signs of extreme agitation.

Pachu Menon,

Margao

It is unfortunate that instead of taking action against those who were responsible for the official apathy in Scarlette’s case, the Goa government is seeking to shift the blame on her mother saying she left her minor daughter under someone else’s care.

Ms. Mackeown is not asking for her daughter’s life; she is only demanding justice so that such incidents do not recur. Does the Goa administration have no responsibility towards tourists who have faith in our system and have respect for us?

Poonam Verma,

Chandigarh

Tourists in all parts of the world need to be helped, guided and protected. However, tourists, particularly women, should also take care of themselves. New York City advises visitors not to go alone or in twos to the famous Central Park. In Miami, hotel staff caution the tourists to be careful while going out in the dark. This being the situation in developed countries, the need to be extra cautious in India hardly requires over-emphasis. Tourists should use their discretion while venturing out at nights. This is no apology for the omissions of the police authorities. It is a plea for circumspection, a must for anyone outside the safety of the four walls of the house.

I.S. Kanthimathinathan,

Tirunelveli

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