MAPUSA
Expressing concern over the entry of gun culture in Calangute, the Congress on Friday said the law and order machinery had collapsed and there was absolutely no fear of law in the State.
Calangute PI, Nolasco Raposo’s handling of crimes along the coastal belt also came under the scanner with former Calangute MLA and Congress General Secretary Agnelo Fernandes and ex-sarpanch Joseph Sequeira demanding the removal of the PI from the coastal police station.
“There is organised crime happening in the State and the police are looking the other way. Nobody fears the law anymore. We don’t know where Calangute is heading under the present BJP government and the local MLA. We demand strict action against the gun trotters,” said Fernandes, while addressing a press conference along with ex-sarpanch Joseph Sequeira in Calangute.
On Thursday evening, locals managed to overpower a gun-trotting Haryana native in Calangute-Candolim while his associate made good his escape.
Continuing, Fernandes said the police were giving a clean chit to the force stating there was no firing but the fact was that two persons were roaming freely with guns in their bags.
He said crimes have increased along the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt under the present PI and demanded his removal.
He further stated that police were busy collecting haftas along the coastal belt to service the seniors and political masters.
“Four days ago, my waiter who was in uniform and standing outside my restaurant in my property was taken into custody by the Calangute police. When I called the PI, he said the policemen on duty must have not known and released him,” Fernandes said and added, “the modus operandi was to lift the waiters and demand Rs 5000 from them.”
He said some restaurants were allowed to open till late at night while police jeeps were sent to threaten others.
“There are about 32 illegal dance bars operating in Calangute but nobody is taking action against such places,” Fernandes said.
Former sarpanch, Joseph Sequeira said that once upon a time Calangute was famous for its beach but now it’s famous for goondagiri, prostitution, drugs and now gun culture.
He said after the gun-trotting incident on Thursday evening, he received calls from friends from Dubai, Australia and the UK asking what was happening in Calangute.
“PI Nolasco Raposo is responsible for the entire mess in Calangute. He has failed to control the rising criminal activities in this coastal village,” Sequeira said.
He said the Calangute PI should go and the senior officers should take immediate action against him.
