CM says 512 URLs blocked, 22 operators booked
PANAJI
Concerns over alleged escort services and possible human trafficking networks in Goa triggered a detailed debate in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stating that the Cyber Crime Police have already blocked 512 escort service website URLs and registered cases against operators of 22 such websites.
Responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and others, Sawant said the Cyber Crime Unit’s Social Media Monitoring Cell is actively tracking such websites and taking preventive action.
“Every week, the police are instructed to crack down on such websites. Not a single website is operated from Goa. Most of them are being run from places like West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and even from foreign locations such as Kenya and Uganda,” Sawant said.
He added that many of these portals are not actually involved in trafficking but are designed to dupe customers for money.
“This is often just money loot. They take money online and there is nothing beyond that,” the Chief Minister said, while cautioning that the issue must be handled sensitively since references are often made to women, girls and children from Goa.
At the same time, Sawant appealed to tourists not to portray Goa as a destination linked to sex trafficking. “It may be happening in a very minor manner, but it should not be projected that Goa is a centre for sex trafficking,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government will regulate spa permissions and some of the establishments could be shut down. Authorities will also take action against touts who lure tourists into such activities, he added.
Raising the issue, Alemao demanded decisive action against those involved in human trafficking, stating that the illegal trade was damaging Goa’s reputation as a tourism destination. “This network should be dismantled and eradicated without delay to protect the name of Goa,” Alemao said, urging the government to withdraw licences of establishments found to be promoting or facilitating such activities.
He alleged that the illegal trade was taking place in hotels, massage parlours, industrial belts, and flats in Calangute, Anjuna and Verna, besides operating through apps and websites.
“Anyone who searches for escort services in Goa immediately finds these websites at the top of search results,” he said, while demanding stronger action to block such portals.
Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira said merely blocking websites would not solve the problem and urged authorities to trace the source and identify those behind them.
“If you investigate properly, you will find a recurring pattern of the same people operating under different names. There is a lot of illegitimate money involved,” Ferreira said, suggesting that the government create a dedicated monitoring platform to track such activities.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas claimed that cases related to such activities reported in Goa were five times higher than the national average, warning that it was harming the State’s image as a tourism destination.
Meanwhile, GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai argued that regulation rather than prohibition may be necessary. “This is considered the oldest profession. Instead of banning it outright, it is important to regulate it. Tourism brings such fallouts and we must address them pragmatically,” Sardesai said.
He pointed out that around 18 spas operate on 18 June Road in Panaji, adding that the area had informally come to be known as “Spa Street”.
“To change the image of Goa, we must regulate the sector strongly and prevent it from operating in a rampant manner,” he said.
