30 Nov 2021  |   06:28am IST

Calangute villagers raise issue of illegal activities, police non-cooperation

Team Herald

MAPUSA: The gram sabha of Calangute Village panchayat turned aggressive after locals raised issue of increasing illegal activities in the village especially pimps and touts.

Locals said that pimps and touts freely move around in the village and on the beaches and create nuisance. Illegal activities have become rampant with the touts even distributing pamphlets promoting spas and massage parlours which run prostitution, villagers said. Villagers further blamed the local body and local police for failing to curb the illegal activities.

Villagers also accused the police of being hand in gloves with the touts who disappear before the cops arrive and reappear after the police are gone.

Ex Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira highlighted that he has made several complaints to police with photographic evidence of touts openly soliciting girls and peddling drugs on the beach. “The police, however, have not initiated any action,” said Sequeira who also called for the transfer of Calangute police inspector.

Locals also demanded the panchayat to form a vigilance committee to round up the touts. They also demanded inspection to identify illegal spas and massage parlours operating in the village.