AERIAL VIEW
It is pertinent to note that the local youth action came up as the Calangute coastal areas became notorious for dance bars and prostitution. The pimps, touts and bouncers had started ruling the place.
Every policeman today knows where prostitution and dance bars are located but has failed to act. Simply because they get their monthly hafta.
The Chief Minister saying that locals should not take the law into their hands seems to be a kind of a joke as the same policemen are taking haftas from the dance bars and prostitution dens.
A few politicians and panch members too are involved in the racket, and that is why the club owners, when they addressed a press conference, said that they have no problem with politicians and panchayat or police. They said that only the local youth want to extort money. Strange, isn’t it?
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Goemkarponn Editor
Well, the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, on Wednesday, claimed that there were no Dance Bars operating in the State of Goa and that the locals must not take the law into their hands.
As if this was not enough, the Calangute police have registered cases against the locals – Rohit Palkar, panch member Swapnesh Vaingankar and Sunny Kandolkar.
The action came after hundreds of Calangute youth, along with the Village Panchayat of Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira and other members, conducted an inspection of dance bars. The next day, however, the youth with panch members entered the Devil’s club and allegedly beat up tourists and staff.
It is pertinent to note that the local youth action came up as the Calangute coastal areas became notorious for dance bars and prostitution. The pimps, touts and bouncers had started ruling the place.
Every policeman today knows where prostitution and dance bars are located but has failed to act. Simply because they get their monthly hafta.
The Chief Minister saying that locals should not take the law into their hands seems to be a kind of a joke as the same policemen are taking haftas from the dance bars and prostitution dens.
A few politicians and panch members too are involved in the racket, and that is why the club owners, when they addressed a press conference, said that they have no problem with politicians and panchayat or police. They said that only the local youth want to extort money. Strange, isn’t it?
Mr CM, if Maharashtra could easily eradicate them, why should Goa play host to them? Why should our daughters and sisters be subjected to such lustful stares from tourists whenever they pass through the streets, thinking that every woman in Calangute is available for a price?
Mr CM, please do visit the Calangute coastal areas at night, not with your police or security. Just come as a common man, and you will see Calangute is not far away from becoming another sin city like Bangkok, wherein dance bars and prostitutes are available without any effort.
Go to these clubs like Devil’s and see for yourselves that there are no tables or chairs. Only a bar counter and open space. The rest entire space is a dance floor. Would you still say those are restaurants?
In case you have forgotten, CM Sir, let me remind just two days ago, you said from the podium at the 62nd Liberation Day that those who trouble tourists would not be spared.
Please see for yourselves; the dance bars which the locals talk about are the same places where the tourists are looted, raped and beaten up but do not file complaints as they do not want to get into the legal tangle.
You specifically pointed out the taxi drivers, we agree the taxi drivers do overcharge, but they do not loot or assault tourists. It is high time the government stops blaming only taxis and starts looking at the other illegalities in the Calangute locality also.
Coming back to Calangute locals taking the law into their hands, what do you want them to do? See all illegalities happening in the beautiful village where they have grown up? Patiently see their sisters, daughters and wives being chased by tourists? Or wait for the corrupt police to take action?
CM Sir, do you really think the police will act? If so, you are wrong, Sir; that day would never come. It is only if the political class shows some spine and asks the police to act. Otherwise, things won’t change, and Goa is not far away from being called a SEX DESTINATION.