The operations of dance bars in the tourist-frequented Calangute village seem to have triggered a blame game between the local police and the village panchayat, albeit in a soft tone.
While Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, accompanied by the Calangute panch members sought police intervention to shut the illegally operating dance bars, the local police had asked the elected body to revoke the trading licences, violating of which has led to criminal activities in the coastal stretch.
“…such dance bars/clubs operated beyond 23:00 hours till early morning are mainly responsible for the existence of touts/agents who lure probable customers/tourists in Calangute police station jurisdiction that defames this beautiful place,” reads a letter to the Sarpanch.
The communiqué on December 12 was in lieu of an incident wherein a Pune tourist, Sandip Kamble was duped and threatened by the staff of a discotheque located in Gaurawado. VP source said that several such bars and restaurants, which are doubling up as discotheques, have hired women staff.
“During the verification drive carried out by this police station, it is observed that bars and restaurants are operated as dance bars/clubs in violation of trading licenses issued by the VP. During your visit/verification drive along with Secretary of VP Calangute, you may have also noticed such violations,” the letter stated.
In view of this, the local police urged the VP to revoke the licenses of such bars and restaurants which are operating beyond 11 pm till dawn or later, as it is in violation of the trading license issued by the VP.
The State has registered cases wherein tourists are duped and even assaulted after being lured to being taken to dance bars. Illegal touts on the beaches are usually hired by the clubs or dance bars to target tourists, particularly men and young couples.
