CALANGUTE MLA INDICATES
Drug peddlers, pimps, touts, hawkers and vendors create serious problems in Calangute
Promises to build rehabilitation centre, protection home and detention centre
States there are 300 to 400 touts in Calangute and that 14 dance bars in Calangute need to be shut
Says Calangute Panchayat has failed to address the problems of the village
..............
Lobo vows to act against pimps, drug peddlers in Calangute
Says problems in Calangute are bigger than in Candolim
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
North Goa Planning and Development Authority Chairman and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo admitted that there was a serious problem of drug peddlers, pimps, touts, hawkers and vendors in the coastal belt, particularly in Calangute.
“The problems posed by touts, hawkers, pimps…are bigger in Calangute than in Candolim. We need to work together along with the police to tackle the menace posed by such individuals involved in illegal activities,” Lobo said.
The Calangute MLA was addressing a gathering of concerned citizens and NGOs, including Child Rights and Calangute United, and other prominent persons at the Calangute Police Station on Wednesday evening. Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar was also present.
The MLA promised to build a rehabilitation centre, protection home and a detention centre to house those delinquents who were apprehended by the police.
He said appropriate land either in Calangute or Candolim Communidade would be identified for the project.
According to Lobo, the illegal activities posed by pimps, touts, hawkers, etc, were more rampant in Calangute than in Candolim.
Stating that there were 300-400 touts in Calangute alone, Lobo said that around 14 dance bars operated in Calangute which need to be shutdown.
“The Calangute Panchayat has always been at loggerheads with the MLA, but failed to address the problems affecting the coastal village,” Lobo said.
He said the police were ready to take action against any illegal activity as per the law.
“The police have agreed to constitute a special police squad to tackle the problems posed by the touts, pimps, hawkers, etc, to the tourists and the locals,” the MLA said.
He said the police will provide their mobile numbers and the citizens could always coordinate with the squad members in tackling the menace.
Some of the citizens requested the presence of a woman constable in the police squad.
Candolim Sarpanch Sandra Fialo and other panch members ZP member Shawn Martins, former ZP member, Anthony Menezes and Calangute Communidade Attorney, Anthony Fernandes were also present at the meeting.
