TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Stepping up their protests against foreign reps and guides for indulging in tourism-related business, a large number of tourist taxi operators affiliated to the North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (NGTTOA) conducted surprise checks on private vehicles rented out to tourists near the St Alex Church, Calangute, on Tuesday.
The drive on private vehicles turned out to be an embarrassment on a few occasions, as some privately rented cars were found to be owned by the tourist taxi owners and drivers themselves.
To prevent the situation from turning untoward, road transport officials and a Calangute police team led by PI Nilesh Rane kept a close watch on the activities of the protesting tourist taxi owners and drivers.
Heated arguments were, however, witnessed for some time when a tourist who had rented a private taxi for self-driving purpose was forced to apologize for his comments against the protesting taxi owners.
The tourist taxi owners and drivers, led by the NGTTOA General Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar assembled in front of the St Alex Church, Calangute early in the morning and their numbers swelled by noon.
The taxi owners and drivers then kept jotting down the numbers of private taxis being hired by the tourists and at times even questioned the tourists regarding the vehicle being use by them.
A tourist who had hired a private taxi complained about the harassment to him and his outburst drew condemnation from the tourist taxi owners and drivers.
The tourist was immediately confronted by the protestors and some women accompanying the tourist tried to pacify the tourist taxi owners and drivers, but to no avail. The tourist was then forced to withdraw his comment and tender an unconditional apology to the agitators.
Speaking to media persons, Nanoskar said: “We have come out on the streets to protest against the Russians for their involvement in the tourism-related business in Goa. We have been protesting silently for quite long and the need was felt to come onto the streets as our silent protests have fallen on the deaf ears of the government and its officials. We will not remain silent until a solution is worked out.”
