Stating that rising illegalities along the coast has brought disrepute to the State, the Congress on Wednesday said Goa’s coastline has become a hub for sex and drugs and blamed the BJP-led government for the sorry state of affairs.
The Congress also said people in power pay lip-service against the illegal activities and fail to strike at the root of the problem.
“Earlier, Goa was known to be a drug hub now it has become a sex hub. A recent survey report from Centre has described how women and child were used for sex trafficking. Hyderabad Police are coming to the State to arrest Goans involved in drug trade,” said Vijay Bhike, General Secretary of party.
The Congress General Secretary was addressing a news conference along with Siolim Congress Block member, Roshan Chodankar in North Goa District Congress Committee office in Mapusa.
Speaking further, Bhike said that once upon a time Calangute was known as Goa’s queen of the beaches and tourists used to flock to the popular coast but today the situation was just the opposite.
“Now, Calangute is more famous for sleaze and drugs and the tourists rush to partake in such illegal activities in the coastal village,” he said.
He said everyone was aware of the illegal activities that were going on in hotels and restaurants in Calangute and the sham action taken by authorities concerned.
“Is the Calangute panchayat serious on taking action against the illegalities or is the action only to hike the stake of hafta,” Bhike questioned.
The Calangute panchayat was in the news two day ago after the Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira along with the panchayat members inspected some premises operating dance bars and ordered them to shut down the illegal activities.
Bhike also questioned local MLA Michael Lobo’s role in the scheme of things and wondered aloud if the MLA has failed to act in his previous stint to curb such activities.
