Calangute police “blind” as several illegal dance bars, massage parlours operating in coastal belt

PANAJI: While welcoming the move by the Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to crack down on illegal massage parlours operating in the coastal belt, social activists have hit out at the Calangute police for turning a ‘blind eye’ to the illegalities in the area.

On Sunday, the CM visited the Calangute beach area and instructed the cops to crack down on illegal massage joints, instructing them to register all tourism-related businesses including massage parlours or shut down those who were not registered.

However, activists are not impressed and felt the police don’t do their job effectively. Last week in spite of a stop work notice by the Calangute Village Panchayat and further instructions from the BDO (Block Development Officer), an illegal construction activity close to the Calangute beach was going on at the premises of the erstwhile Buddha Bar, said ward member Sudesh Mayekar.

The cops were informed, both by the Panchayat and the BDO to ensure that the illegal construction work was stopped immediately, yet no action was taken and the work continued unhindered, even three days after the Panchayat and BDO notices were issued, Mayekar said.

Similarly, another social activist Minakshi Shinde of the Goa Against Corruption flayed the Calangute Village Panchayat and the Calangute cops for their failure to seal the premises of another illegal structure on the beach front. “Even though the owners may have approached the Director of Panchayat in an appeal against the demolition order issued by the VP in March 2021, in an attempt to stall the demolition process, it was the duty of the Panchayat, its secretary and the Sarpanch to seal the premises to ensure no further illegal work was carried out inside the structure,” Shinde opined.

Shinde claimed that even after a crackdown in January last year, after the Calangute PI (police inspector) was transferred, illegal dance bars are still operating with impunity and prostitutes in the guise of dance girls along with their pimps are carrying on a roaring business in the Calangute-Candolim belt.

The illegal structure on the Calangute beach (slated for demolition) was even issued an NOC to carry on restaurant business last month by the Panchayat, which the Panchayat later on revoked after residents raised a hue and cry.

Last year in November-December an illegal dance bar/ladies bar was being run in the same illegal structure, with the Panchayat and cops turning a blind eye. It was only after a law and order situation arose, that the dance bar business was shut down, Shinde informed.

There are at least six illegal dance bars still operating in the Calangute-Candolim area and the cops are unable to shut them down, Shinde alleged.

Another activist and former ward member from Parra, Benedict D’souza alleged that the Village Panchayats of Calangute, Parra and Arpora are dancing to the tune of the Calangute MLA and not taking any action where his “friends” are involved.

“There are several illegal activities going on at Parra and even at Calangute and Candolim, but the MLA is apparently protecting them,” D’souza lamented, alleging that only small businessmen are harassed, but those who can afford to pay ‘hefty’ bribes to the Panchayat are not touched.

“Illegal land-filling, cutting of hills and levelling of hilly terrain is still going on in Parra. The Panchayat only issues notices after the illegal activity is completed, after residents file written complaints. How come the Panchayat does not know what’s happening in its own backyard,” D’souza demanded to know.