PANJIM: Calangute MLA and Ports Minister Michael Lobo held a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Secretariat where he sought directions be issued to traffic police to stop harassing tourists visiting Goa.
The minister also took up the grievances of local taxi owners at the meeting where he asked the CM to issue directions on how to reimburse funds for installing digital meters batch wise so that the taxi owners receive their payments on time. He also said that he has urged CM to expedite the implementation of fixing of digital meters for free.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Lobo claimed that the CM had issued directions to the Traffic Police not to harass tourists unnecessarily and for no reason. He added that an explanation has been sought from the North Goa Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Salim Shaikh in this regard.
On the traffic police, Lobo lamented that he has personally seen such cops harassing tourists who have taken cars or two-wheelers on rent for no reason. “It is sad that tourists are being stopped at least five times in a day at different junctions and this is not how the State should be treating tourists,” said Lobo. “Goa requires tourists due to the pandemic and tourists visiting Goa is a blessing but such acts of harassment will drive them away,” he added.
Lobo said that tourists who are not wearing their helmets or are not following the law, then it is okay to stop and fine them and he has no issue with that. The Calangute MLA said, “Harassing tourists if the documents of the rent-a-bike or car is not with them, then that is a problem as the police should be asking these questions from the owner of the vehicle who is giving it out on rent.”
Lobo further alleged that some traffic policemen are trying to get transferred to the coastal areas so as they will be able to harass a larger number of tourists this way.
The minister’s statements come against the backdrop of tourists and tourism stakeholders complaining about the action of traffic police. Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao has also raised this issue in the Assembly.
