CALANGUTE: Reiterating the panchayat members’ claim that the ‘dance bars’ in the village are hotspots of illegal activities, Calangute sarpanch has said the panchayat will soon issue demolition orders against them.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said that the panchayat has received many written complaints from tourists about being assaulted and blackmailed at the ‘dance bars’, following which they had written to the police with proof of money being extorted.
Speaking to mediapersons on Saturday, he informed that after the recent appeals from villagers to act against the ‘dance bars’, the Panchayat had conducted a site inspection of the 16 ‘dance bars’. During which it was found that they had constructed structures which violated the building laws, after which the panchayat had issued show cause notices to these places.
“They have replied to the notices and after the procedure we will issue demolition orders. We do not want such type of places in Calangute, and we are going to close them down,” he said.
He also denied that the recent inspection and protests by panchayat members are an attempt to extort money from the ‘dance bars’.
‘Dance bar’ owners had recently held a press conference during which they claimed that there are no illegal activities going on in their nightclubs while also admitting that they have women waitresses and dancers, similar to those employed in well-known nightclubs and restaurants. They had also alleged that the recent protests by some villagers were an attempt to extort money from the clubs.
