Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The Calangute panchayat on Thursday sealed a hookah shop operating in front of the temple for operating without a valid license.
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Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said the Shantadurga temple committee members had complained against the hookah shop with a sign ‘Vape store’ claiming that there were suspicious activities at the shop and it was selling illegal products used in the consumption of illicit substances and narcotic drugs, which was affecting the sanctity of the temple.
“We conducted a site inspection and have sealed the shop under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act as its trade licence had not been renewed,” the sarpanch said.
Responding to queries about other shops in Calangute selling hookahs, Sequeira claimed that they are not aware if such hookah shops can be allowed or if the products can be legally sold. “We don’t have clear information. If they are selling drugs, then it’s for the anti-narcotics cell (ANC) to take action,” he said. But panchayat members said they “don’t want such products sold here. It’s similar to drugs and will ruin our youth. Once they get a taste for these, then it will become a habit,” VP members said.
