Goemkarponn desk
CALANGUTE: To discourage activities of touts in the coastal belt, the Goa Police have decided to create a ‘database’ of arrested touts to take further action against them.
Calangute Police have arrested more than 34 touts operating in its jurisdiction since the last few days under the Tourist Trade Act 1982.
Calangute Police Inspector Paresh Naik told reporters that they had arrested around 34 touts, and the drive to nab more touts was on.
“We are receiving complaints from local panch members about touts that they loot tourists. Hence we have started a drive to nab touts who cheat tourists,” he said.
“We are in the process of creating a database of arrested touts so that we can take action against them under the Trade and Tourism Act,” he said.
According to him, under this Act, the first-time offender is fined Rs 5,000, while if the same accused commits a crime a second time, then the amount goes up to Rs 50,000, and there is the provision of imprisonment if the person commits a crime a third time.
“We are taking action to discourage touts from operating in the Calangute area,” he said.
In January, around 500 locals from the coastal belt of Calangute and Baga in North Goa protested against the touts, ‘dance bars’ culture, drugs and prostitution in the locality and demanded action on it.
Senior citizens and women, who participated in the rally, along with youths, demanded that the ‘dance bar’ culture, along with activities of touts, should be stopped immediately as it is spoiling the name of Goa.
