Panaji, Dec 25 (IANS) A Christmas party in Goa for two Russian women turned out to be a horrific ordeal when a taxi driver they had engaged tried to rape them at Anjuna. The two victims had to hide in a jungle thicket for six hours to escape being raped and robbed by the taxi driver and his accomplices on a night when police claimed security in the state was at its peak.
In a complaint filed with the Anjuna police station, 29-year-old Olga Tyurina and 25-year-old Irina Babayan said the incident took place after they hired a taxi driver near Club West End in Saligao at 2.20 a.m. on Dec 25 after attending a Christmas party at the popular night club.

“We had hired a taxi GA-01-L-9613 for Rs.300 to travel from Club West End to our hotel Charleston in Baga. But the driver told us that he wanted to avoid bribing the police picket on the main road and said he would take an alternative route,” Olga has said in her complaint.

“Instead of Baga, he took us to Anjuna and said he wanted Rs.1,000 for the ride and instead of money, he wanted to have sex with us. When we protested, he tried to attack us forcing us to jump out of the car and run into the jungle nearby.

“We had to hide till 7 a.m. in the morning in the jungle before we complained to the police,” Olga said.

Officials attached to the Anjuna police station have confirmed the complaint.

A senior police officer told IANS that a case has been filed against the unknown taxi driver for attempt to rape and assault.

“He is on the run. We are in the process of tracking him down,” the officer said.

Goa, a popular tourism destination for Russians, has seen several instances of crime against foreigners. A Goan politician is already absconding for allegedly raping a 25-year-old Russian woman earlier this month.