Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
By special correspondent

Panaji, Jan 15: Police on Monday released the sketch of the person who allegedly assaulted and raped a British tourist in Panaji even as Goa government alleged a foreign hand in maligning the image of the state through propaganda to disturb its lifeline tourism.

"The sketches will be sent to all the police stations and would be displayed at prominent places," inspector general of police Kishan Kumar told reporters in Panaji.

The British national was raped after she had taken a lift on a motorcycle driven by a person she did not know late in the night last week.

Home minister Ravi Naik said, "There are some foreign nations who are involved in media propaganda that Goa is not safe for tourists." He however declined from naming any country.

Talking to press persons in the presence of state's police chief B S Brar, Naik rubbished the contention that Goa is becoming increasingly unsafe for tourists.

"Those nations who want to frighten the tourists and who envy Goa's increasing tourism trade are involved in such propaganda," Naik, former Goa chief minister, said.

He said the state is safe for tourists and cases reported are isolated ones.

Goa, which saw four cases of violence against foreign women in the last seven days receives four lakh foreign tourists every year. A Russian lady had alleged that a local shack owner molested her by dragging her in his jeep.

DGP Brar said the media should project Goa as it is. "It is the safest destination," he asserted.