The Goan: How serious is the issue of flesh trade in massageparlours in Goa?
Michael Lobo: The raids in Panjim are just the tip of theiceberg, Calangute and Candolim is the ocean. There are plenty of massageparlours. I have given a list of 14 Parlours “ four in Candolim and 10 inCalangute. Some were formerly dance bars, others are beauty parlours that havebeen converted into massage parlours. There are also quite a few parlours thatoperate openly. Take for example, Club Virgin which was a dance bar that hasnow been converted into a massage parlour business.
TG: How does this business go about despite the police beingthere?
ML: That is what is baffling. Why should we have to tell thepolice and identify each one of them, when boys on bikes working for theseparlours go around soliciting customers, passing their cards around. At times,they even ferry customers on their bikes. On Monday evening, I was shocked tosee boys lining up outside these parlours, like in a ration shop .
TG: What is their modus operandi?
ML: When you land there, the entry itself is Rs 4000. After thisvarious services are offered, like a lollypop and handshake. Im sure you figurewhat that means
TG: You have beenaround for over six months now, why this sudden change in speed?
ML: I have been seeing this rot creep in. The Goan's story was timely as the touristseason is starting and I want to clean up this area of such illegal andugly activities. Earlier PI Raposo had raided Lotus and Simron, but he did notget government’s support to stem this activity. He was transferred out. Thesetrades survive only because the police itself was collecting money for higherups, like the Home Minister, etc. Our government is not interested inthis.
TG: What is the plan of action then?
ML: We had made a representation to Chief Minister and DGP.North Goa SP Vijay Singh immediately called a meeting on Monday where the CalangutePI and others were present. It was decided to bring in lady NGOs and raid theseparlours as soon as possible, before the season starts.
