Goa CM briefs PM on Scarlette case

In the backdrop of outrage over the rape-cum-murder of a British teenaged girl in Goa, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday insisted that the state was the "safest" destination for tourists as he briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the incident.

"I appeal to all tourists Goa is the safest place and Goans are nice people," he told reporters after a meeting with Dr Singh where Goa MPs Shantaram Naik and Francisco Sardinha were also present.

Kamat said he was in Delhi for some official meetings and felt it was his duty to brief the prime minister on an issue, which has been figuring prominently in the media.

Scarlette Eden Keeling, the 15-year-old British national, was found dead at Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18.

After Scarlette's mother Fiona Mackeown suspected foul play in the death, the police swung into action and arrested two persons for drugging, raping and murdering the teenager.

Kamat parried a question on whether the state government had asked the Centre not to extend the Mackeown's visa.

"Our first priority is to handle the case," he said.

On the case of molestation of a German tourist on Saturday, he said the police have questioned 15 suspects detained on the basis of the description given by the victim.

He said the tourist had wandered off to a secluded place at Cavelossim beach where she was molested by a stranger.

On the rape-cum-murder case, Kamat said the tourist was a minor and her mother should not have allowed her to move around the state all by herself.

"Whenever I go abroad with my family I take ample precaution. I also appeal to the tourists to take precaution when they come here," Kamat said.