CALANGUTE: Calangute locals on Thursday said they would continue their agitation against the dance bars until they are shut down and refuted allegations that their protests are to extort money from the dance bar owners.
Dance bar owners at a press conference last month had claimed that protests by locals against their clubs were an attempt to extort money and had said the locals were “goons”.
At a press conference, the locals involved in the protests claimed that it is the dance bar owners who have criminal records against them, and said they have proof of their involvement in cases of attempt to murder, immoral trafficking of women, extortion and illegal fire-arms and other crimes in their native States.
“We will continue our protests against the dance bars till they are closed down. It is because of these types of places that no decent tourists now come to Calangute,” they said.
Meanwhile, Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira who had also alleged that the dance bars were carrying out illegal activities and served show cause notices on them, has now urged MLAs to introduce and debate a bill against dance bars in the forthcoming Assembly session.
“I appeal to all the MLAs to bring a bill during the Assembly session on January 16, to stop the operation of dance bars and clubs in Calangute and Goa,” Sequeira said.
He said the process to shut down the dance bars was going on and he was positive that the activity will be completely stopped.
He said the dance bars have replied to the notices and they were called for a personal hearing on Thursday, after which the further course of action will be decided.
