CALANGUTE: Calangute villagers on Wednesday demanded immediate action against illegal pubs and dance bars operating in the village as this was disturbing the peace of the touristic village.
Speaking to media persons, the villagers said that it was a nightmare for a local woman or a girl to step out of their houses. At night time, Calangute roads turn into dens of pimps and touts hunting, who they alleged, fleece and loot tourists. According to them, there are around 18-20 pubs and dance bars operating in and around Calangute village in the garb of bars and restaurants.
The villagers complained that most of the businesses in Calangute are run by outsiders and demanded an immediate crack down on these illegal businesses.
Many women who were also present warned that villagers will take the law into their own hands if the illegal activities are not stopped by the village panchayat within the next 15 days.
Reacting to charges levelled by a woman, after her son was brutally attacked by three youth at Calangute on May 8, the villagers said that the woman was misguiding the people and using media to gain sympathy. They alleged that the woman was working as a bouncer in one of the night clubs at Calangute and said that some youth from Candolim were operating as tourists guides and fleecing the tourists visiting the beach.
The villagers further said that there was a fight between tourists and guides over money and that the two youth arrested by the police had only requested them not to fight in front of their gadda. This annoyed Abdul Saudagar, who called his mother, who came to the spot with some bouncers and others and attacked the two youth, the villagers said.
Calangute Police have arrested Ashish Palkar and Shitish Kerkar for assaulting Abdul Saudagar (19) and are on the lookout for Saish Palkar, who is still at large. Ashish and Shitish have been remanded in police custody.
PSI Viraj Naik is conducting investigations under the guidance of Calangute PI Laxi Amonkar.
