Former Calangute MLA Agnel Fernandes has accused sitting MLA Michael Lobo of repeatedly raising the same issues of touts, prostitution and illegal activities in the coastal belt without delivering results, alleging the motive could be political.
Fernandes said Lobo’s recent threat to protest outside the Director General of Police’s (DGP) office over touts harassing tourists was nothing new.
“For the last 13 years, he’s been saying the same thing. In 2012, he spoke about dance bars in Calangute. In 2013, he claimed the CM promised to act. In 2014, he said dance bars were fronts for prostitution. In 2015, he went on a hunger strike. In 2020, he took the sarpanch and others to meet the DGP over the same issue. Now, he wants to protest there again ” what’s the point?” Fernandes questioned, showing paper cuttings of the news items with Lobo’s statements.
Fernandes also took aim at Lobo’s criticism of ministers for “not working,” saying that curbing touts and prostitution falls under the police, which is controlled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“If the CM is not doing his work, then the entire government is not working “ they should all resign,” he said.
Recalling that Lobo once accused the local sarpanch of enabling such illegalities, Fernandes pointed out: “Now the sarpanch is yours, the government is yours, yet the problem remains. What is the use of going to the DGP now?”
Five touts arrested in Calangute
following MLA’s protest threat
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A day after Calangute MLA Michael Lobo warned of a protest outside the Director General of Police’s (DGP) office over the menace of illegal touts, Calangute Police arrested five persons for allegedly harassing tourists in the popular beach belt.
Police said the accused, all natives of West Bengal, had been approaching visitors with offers of arranging rooms and other accommodation in Calangute without proper authorisation.
The arrests were made under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.
According to officials, the action came during a series of drives targeting touts engaged in unauthorised tourism-related activities.
In the past, several individuals have been detained for similar offences, with fines issued under the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act.
Police have reiterated that such operations will continue to ensure a safe and hassle-free experience for tourists, particularly in peak travel months.
“We have stepped up surveillance in the area and will maintain zero tolerance towards such illegal activities,” a senior officer said.
The crackdown follows growing concerns from locals, hoteliers and elected representatives about touts misleading visitors, overcharging them, or directing them to unlicensed accommodations, thereby undermining the local tourism industry.
