Team Herald
PANJIM: Tourist taxi owners have backed Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar in his drive against Lamanis on beaches.
Last week Azgaonkar had said that Tourism Department would conduct a drive against Lamanis on the beach who are tarnishing the image of Goa. Reacting to this, the Banjara Samaj had sought an apology and demanded the withdrawal of the statement. Azgaonkar had refused to do either.
On Saturday, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association (NGTTOA) offered the minister help to clean up Lamanis from the beach belt alleging they are involved in illicit activities.
Speaking Herald, NGTTOA General Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar said Lamanis in small businesses on the beach side are involved in illegal trade including drugs and prostitution. “The image of Goa is tarnished because of them. They are the real dealers who deal with tourists,” Nanoskar said.
He said action should be initiated against them. “We are ready to offer any help to the authorities who are ready to clean these activities from the coast. We support the statement made by the Tourism Minister as it needs to be tackled before it gets worse,” Nanoskar said.
He added, “During the day they sell some products on beach and in the evening they act as peddlers and pimps.
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Banjaras might move SC Commission
PANJIM: A day after Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar refused to apologise for his comments against the Lamani community, the All Goa Banjara Samaj on Saturday said they might approach the Scheduled Caste (SC) commission. Speaking to Herald, Goa Banjara Samaj General Secretary Ganesh Lamani said, “Since the Tourism Minister has refused to apologise for his comments against our community, we held a meeting which will continue tomorrow and a decision will be taken whether to approach the SC Commission and we are also planning a strike.” He added, “We have also appealed to the Chief Minister of Goa to issue necessary instructions to the concerned minister not to create unnecessary problems to the Banjara community since they are living here for more than 50 years and are contributing to Goa’s economy. If there is illegality on the beach, the concerned persons should be punished but the entire community should not be targeted.” The association said that instead of saying Lamanis are creating nuisance on the beaches, the minister should have made a general statement that whoever is found guilty of illegal activities on the beach will be punished.
