Thiruvananthapuram, May 6 (PTI) The Kerala government today said it would ensure the safety of foreign tourists, in the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a Lithuanian tourist near here recently.

"The state government will ensure the safety of foreign tourists. Strict instructions have been given to police to take stepsto prevent recurence of such incidents," tourism Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said.

He was speaking at a ceremony here today to pay homage to Lithuanian tourist Liga Skromene, who was allegedly raped and murdered near here recently.

Alarge number of persons from different walks of life gathered at Nishagandhi Auditorium here, lighted candles and placed flowers in front of a picture of the victim.

IIze , sister of the deceased and Andrew Jordan, husband of the victim, together planted saplings in memory of Liga, whose highly decomposed body was found from a mangrove forest at nearby Thiruvallam.

She was found missing under mysterious circumstances from Kovalam on March 14.

Two persons, stated to be habitual offenders, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

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