TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: The IRB Police and Tourist Security Force officials confiscated goods worth Rs 2 lakh from hawkers at Calangute.
According to reports, the IRB Police team headed by PSI Sachin Gauns and Ratan Gawas of Tourist Security Force carried out raids against the hawkers on the beaches of Calangute, Candolim, Vagator, Anjuna, Keri, etc, and confiscated goods worth Rs 2 lakh from them.
The raids were carried out very early when the hawkers were getting ready for the business on the beaches of Calangute and surrounding areas. The confiscated goods included craft items, costume jewellery, clothes, etc.
The hawkers have been selling these goods to foreign and domestic tourists on the beaches while doubts were being raised about hawkers’ involvement in illegal practices like prostitution and sex rackets.
Speaking to Herald, Ratan Gawas of Tourist Security Force said, “We along with IRB Police team conducted surprise raids along the coastal belt and confiscated goods from the hawkers. We began the raid very early before the hawkers could start selling goods to the tourists. Many hawkers fled from the site leaving their goods behind.”
PSI Sachin Gauns said, “We have been carrying out frequent drives against the hawkers harassing the tourists. We do not see too many hawkers as compared to last few years, but there are hawkers still selling on the beach with the blessing of shack owners.”
“Few hawkers work for shack owners cleaning their utensils, etc, and later sell their goods on the beaches. The shack owners should co-operate with the police to get rid of hawkers on the beaches. The shack owners should provide a suitable uniform for their workers as it would be better for the police to identify them,” he said.
