Amid growing demand from the locals to shut illegally operating dance bars in the tourist-populated Calangute beach village, local MLA Michael met Director General of Police Jaspal Singh demanding a crackdown on such premises and strict action against the dance bar operators.
“There are around 12-13 dance bars illegally operating in Calangute. Owners of these premises have obtained licenses of running restaurants but they are misusing the permission to double up as dance bars. Police need to crack a whip against them,” Lobo told reporters after leading a delegation of Calangute panch members to the DGP at Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
During his interaction with Singh, Lobo raised apprehensions that if the illegal activity continues, locals as well as visitors will find Calangute unsafe. He also appealed to take immediate action against touts, pimps, hawkers, beggars and anti-social elements, who are promoting illegal businesses by duping or harassing tourists.
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira claimed that the Panchayat will slap notices to around 16 illegal dance bars while rubbishing allegations that they are blaming the police for inaction.
