CALANGUTE: It was a major embarrassment for Calangute MLA Michael Lobo as he was made to appear in the Additional District Sessions Court at Mapusa, in connection with the recent demolition of a night club in Calangute.
Denouncing his appearance in court as “shameful” for a ruling BJP MLA, Lobo said the people of Calangute had lost faith in the government as it was only supporting ‘outsiders’ involved in illegal trade along the Calangute coast.
In a related development, three ‘Save Calangute’ members, Ciprian Lobo, Javed Ahmed and Devdas Redkar were served notices by Calangute Police Inspector Nilesh Rane in the demolition case and were asked to report at Calangute Police Station for investigations.
Lobo, the ruling BJP MLA, had to appear in the Additional District Sessions Court at Mapusa, as cases were registered by the Calangute Police. Lobo was represented by his lawyer during the court hearing.
Later speaking to reporters outside the court, Lobo said: “It’s a shame for the government as one of its MLAs had to appear in the Sessions Court due to the government’s failure in curbing illegalities like prostitution, drugs, etc.”
“The people of Calangute have lost faith in the government as it is only supporting outsiders involved in illegal trade along the Calangute coast. The Calangute Police registered FIRs against me based on complaints from outsiders who were illegally carrying out prostitution activities in Calangute.”
He claimed that though their initiative in the demolition drive was to wipe out illegalities from the famed coastal village, they were accused of various offences like rioting, damages and threats to kill, which had been included in the FIRs.
“The youth of Calangute and members of ‘Save Calangute’ are needlessly being targeted for their genuine efforts to clean and save Calangute for the future generation. We will not keep quiet and we will continue our fight to save Calangute, come what may,” warned Lobo.
