Even before tourists can begin to visit the beaches, the shores have already drawn lamanis who are setting up business, accosting tourists – foreign as well as Indians – in their bid to sell their wares. The coastal belt of Pernem has a large number of lamanis, with Arambol beach having the largest number compared to Morjim, Mandrem and Ashwem.
Lamanis are known to roam along the beach and target every tourist stepping on the sands. They approach the tourist promoting their product such as clothes, embroidery, eatables, jewellery and try to sell them forcefully. Besides, they also set up stalls along the road or at the entrance to the beach on land that has been leased from locals, at times making it difficult for visitors to enter the beach.
Besides selling their products, the lamanis also offer body massages to the tourists, which is illegal. They also sell cigarettes which foreign tourists as well as Indian tourists prefer. Locals said that when they informed the Chief Minister and the Tourism Minister of the problems caused by the lamanis, their pleas were ignored.
Anil Barde, former Sarpanch of Arambol said, “We had filed complaints with Pernem Police to remove the lamanis but no major action has been taken. This year we will be filing complaints in the next two weeks. Last year the police visited to beach for only three days which was not helpful because whenever the officials used to visit the beach the lamanis would hide and return when the officers went away.”
Sources allege that the lamanis pay a hafta to the local authorities so that no action is taken against them. There are around 70 to 80 lamanis doing business on Arambol beach. The beach, complain locals, has seen an increase in not only lamanis but in other illegal activities like gambling and prostitution, which also takes place on Mandrem beach. Unemployed youngsters and adults are getting into gambling in large numbers, say locals.
Morjim Sarpanch Anuradha Morje said, “We keep a regular check on the beach. Each ward member visits and sees if the lamanis are harassing tourists or not. If they are found doing so we make sure they are moved out.”
