Bihar beefs up security after rape of Japanese tourist

PATNA - Three days after a Japanese woman was allegedly gangraped near Bodh Gaya in Bihar’s Gaya district, the state government has decided to enhance safety and security measures for tourists, particularly foreigners, officials said Monday.

A 25-year-old Japanese woman was raped near Gaya railway station by four people, including an autorickshaw driver, Friday night. Three of four accused have been arrested, police said.

The government has directed the district administration to deploy policemen on the vehicles shutting between Bodh Gaya and Gaya railway station as well as Gaya international airport.

“Police headquarters has directed the police to tighten security by deploying more policemen for safety of tourists,” Additional Director General P.K. Thakur said.

Thousands of tourists visit Bodh Gaya, where Buddha got enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. The site is 11 km from Gaya town.

The administration has decided to issue laminated identity cards to all autorickshaw drivers operating between Bodh Gaya and Gaya.

“It is part of the safety measure for tourists,” District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that speedy trial would be conducted in the rape case.

Officials in Bodh Gaya told IANS that police recovered raped victim’s passport, 2,300 Yen, a cell phone and her two credit cards from the accused.