Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s visit to Calangute is a step in right direction

AERIAL VIEW
The CM’s visit came after the delegation from Chandgad met CM, demanding action against the people who assaulted the youth from their area and looted them.
Now, the complaints of illegal dance bars and massage parlours have been received for decades, but no home minister or chief minister initiated any action, and hence Sawant’s visit to Calangute is significant.
He not only visited the coastal areas but also took strong 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Firstly, the CM has directed Goa Police to crack down on illegal Massage parlours immediately across the State.
Henceforth, he also said that the concerned Police Inspector will be held responsible for any such illegal parlours operating in his jurisdiction.
Moreover, he said, action will be taken against officers who fail to comply and shut down such illegal establishments.

After a spate of an incident of tourist harassment, adduction, loot by the massage parlour and illegal dance bar owners, the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, who also happens to be the Home Minister, had come under severe criticism from various quarters.
Following the developments, Chief Minister on Sunday visited the Calangute beach, police station and the narrow lanes leading to Baga.
The CM’s visit came after the delegation from Chandgad met CM, demanding action against the people who assaulted the youth from their area and looted them.
Now, the complaints of illegal dance bars and massage parlours have been received for decades, but no home minister or chief minister initiated any action, and hence Sawant’s visit to Calangute is significant.
He not only visited the coastal areas but also took strong 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Firstly, the CM has directed Goa Police to crack down on illegal Massage parlours immediately across the State.
Henceforth, he also said that the concerned Police Inspector will be held responsible for any such illegal parlours operating in his jurisdiction.
Moreover, he said, action will be taken against officers who fail to comply and shut down such illegal establishments.
Also, he asked police to start patrolling in civil dress in the coastal area. He said the number of officers will increase for the coming season.
Of course, the action comes very late as the season is over, and most of the illegal massage parlours have already made moolah by looting the tourists, and most of them will close shop for monsoons, but nonetheless better late than never.
What CM’s visit on Sunday does is it will instil fear in the minds of the police and the illegal business owners. Now they would know such things would not be tolerated.
The police were the main culprits in the whole issue as they collected haftas from the illegal businesses and allowed them to operate the business.
Any person who goes to Baga, Anjuna or even Porvorim circle will know where the illegal business of massage parlours and dance bars happens. However, the police feel “aal iz well,” and Calangute has no illegalities.
Police, if interested in action, the only thing the police need to do is take rent a bike and move around the locality. The touts will run after them asking “ladki chahiye, hot ladki, drugs” etc.
Unfortunately, the tourist, who come from thousands of kilometres away, find these notorious joints, but the police staying in Goa and born and brought up here think there is no illicit business happening in Goa. Isn’t it?
The CM’s warning is a good sign, but he must transfer all the police personnel who have been at the police station for more than a year. This must be done every three months so that these policemen do not settle down and start collecting haftas.
Secondly, bring an honest police inspector who will not accede to the demands of any politicians and take strict action on such touts and businesses.
Third, also file cases against the panchayats and municipalities for allowing such businesses in their jurisdiction.