With tourism reaching its peak along the Calangute-Candolim coast, concerns are now being raised over allegations of rampant prostitution activities in the area.
While some locals have come together to stop the menace of prostitution in the coastal villages, others involved in tourism business have complained that their personnel are unnecessarily being accused of promoting prostitution activities.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who has been vocal in criticizing prostitution activities, has now assured to shut down a joint or premises/houses being rented out to girls involved in prostitution rackets.
Locals claim that little is being done, either by authorities or police, to clamp down on prostitution activities along the Calangute coast.
“Girls are being transported in many taxis on a daily basis from one place to another at night and back again in the early hours of morning, but they are let off. Now, doesn’t such activity amount to prostitution,” asked a resident, Custodio.
On the other hand, a guest house owner has hit out at those harassing his staff.
“We have been involved in Guest House business for many years now, but all of sudden we find our rooms now empty because of harassment to our staff,” complained Gajanan Kerkar.
“Guest House personnel are not allowed to meet known or unknown guests walking along the roads. A few locals drive them away or else, they call the police and hand over boys who work for us, thereby severely affecting our business.”
“Time and again, we have told them and the police that they are not involved in any prostitution activities. Despite our pleas, our staff is being harassed till date,” Kerkar added.
Rejecting allegations of harassment to hotel employees, Kundan Kerkar, president of Save Calangute said: “We are not harassing any individual, but people linked to prostitution rackets are at times handed over to Calangute Police for thorough investigation.”
Commenting on the direct or indirect involvement of taxi drivers in prostitution activities, Kerkar said taxi drivers are expected to transport passengers from one place to another.
“But if someone is involved in it (prostitution activity), they will be taken to task. We are keeping a close watch on the movement of such people,” said Kerkar.
When contacted, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association General Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar refuted claims that taxi operators were directly or indirectly involved in prostitution activities.
“As far as we are concerned, none of our members are involved in prostitution rackets. A few members involved in such activities have been suspended from the Association. We have not harassed any individual for alleged involvement in prostitution trade. But it could have been done by another group, which may have been supported by some of our members,” said Nanoskar.
A source at the Calangute Police Station confirmed that members of a newly formed group have been handing over few people for their alleged involvement in prostitution racket. “However, their involvement in such activity is not proved,” said the source.
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo insisted that steps would be taken to stop prostitution trade in his constituency.
“If anyone is found involved directly or indirectly, including renting of their houses or premises for prostitution racket, I will ask the Police and authorities concerned to act firmly against such persons connected with illegal activities like prostitution,” warned Lobo.
