Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Four persons, including a woman, were caught by the Tourist Security Force (TSF) on Thursday, for allegedly offering massage services on Baga Beach following the launch of a special drive against touts.
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The four were later fined Rs 5,000 each after being handed over to the Calangute Police. Calangute PI Paresh Naik said they also booked around 15 touts on Wednesday and around 10-20 touts are booked each day. “Last month we had booked around 90 touts,” he said while informing about the drive held in association with the Calangute Panchayat and the Tourist Security Force to crack down on touts.
“The first time they’re fined Rs 5,000. If the tout is caught thrice, then the fine amount is Rs 25,000. This is a combined drive against touts on the beach and in the village. We are using private vehicles given by the panchayat because when the touts see a police vehicle they run away. The tourist police look after the beach and Calangute Police look after the remaining areas away from the beach,” PI Naik said while addressing mediapersons.
“These touts cannot force tourists to go to any place against their wish, but they keep harassing them and offer anything and everything – rooms, beach shacks and massage parlours,” he said.
Following complaints from locals about touts and other illegal activities at a recent Calangute gram sabha, sarpanch Joseph Sequeira had said they cannot do anything because the panchayat doesn’t have the powers.
“If we get police protection, we’re ready to act. It’s for the police to take action,” Sequeira said.
