Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today clarified in the Goa Legislative Assembly that no escort service websites are based in Goa, stating that many such platforms are scams designed to defraud people. He said the government has directed the police to take strict action against any such websites operating or targeting the state.
Sawant informed the House that the Goa Police has so far blocked 512 escort websites and registered cases under the Information Technology Act and the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act. He added that the action has led to arrests and the rescue of victims.
The Chief Minister also highlighted measures taken by the police to strengthen safety and support for women. These include women’s police stations, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, the Pink Force, and help desks in Panjim and Margao that provide visibility and 24×7 support for female victims.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, along with other opposition MLAs, urged the government to take urgent steps to curb the rising commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and children. They pointed out that Goa has been repeatedly mentioned in national and international reports related to such issues and sought details on the government’s strategy to tackle the problem.
MLA Carlos Ferreira said that while the government has blocked escort websites, blocking alone may not be enough as new sites continue to emerge. He suggested the formation of a special team to constantly monitor such websites and track down their operators.
MLA Cruz Silva also called for stringent action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the state, demanding the formation of a dedicated task force to curb such activities.
MLA Altone D’Costa stressed the need to dismantle the main networks and operators behind human trafficking, stating that targeting smaller cases alone would not eliminate the crime.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward Party president and MLA Vijai Sardesai raised concerns over the increasing number of spas along Panjim’s 18 June Road, referring to it as “Spa Street.” He alleged that some establishments may be operating illegally and warned that such unchecked growth should not be allowed to continue.
MLA Michael Lobo also expressed concern that illegal operations linked to some spas and escort services could damage Goa’s tourism image. He urged the Chief Minister to take strict action against such scams to safeguard the state’s reputation and tourism industry.
