‘Home’ keeps 2 MLAs away from House

CALANGUTE: Angry locals gathered outside a spa in Calangute to demand action against illegal activities, forcing Calangute MLA Michael Lobo to skip the Assembly session and rush to the site to defuse the tension.

Criticising the present system that tacitly allows prostitution activities under the guise of massage parlours, Lobo said he will pressurize the State government to amend the laws to stop prostitution under the guise of spas or massage parlours.

It may be recalled that the locals on Thursday evening forced Calangute police to check the premises of the spa at Saunta Vaddo for alleged prostitution and demanded immediate action from the authorities to close down the spa.

Since there was no action from the law enforcement agencies, the agitated locals gathered in large numbers outside the spa on Friday. Lobo was on his way to attend the Assembly session, when he heard of the protest and rushed to Saunta Vaddo to pacify the agitating residents.

Calangute Police team led by PSIs Nitin Harlankar and Shrikant Pednekar were stationed at the site to avoid any untoward incident.

Two residents, Mohan Paleykar and Laura D’Souza, claimed that the prostitution racket has been going at a particular massage parlour, while outstation vehicles were parked all along the road. 

“It is a disturbing sign for local residents and such activities have to be stopped,” said D’Souza.

Expressing solidarity with the protesting residents, Lobo has demanded the immediate closure of the spa for alleged prostitution and other illegal activities. 

“Residents have been bringing to my notice about illegal prostitution activities under the guise of spa and massage parlours at Saunta Vaddo. The touts have been shamelessly running behind domestic tourists to solicit massaging services, which is a shame to the residents,” said Lobo.

“Children and women are now uncomfortable and unsafe, as tourists look at them in the same way as prostitutes. Police have also failed to check the illegalities, which is very serious.”

“On Thursday, there was a commotion outside a spa, which houses about 27 girls for prostitution. The people have been forced to come on the street to protest the existence of such illegal activities. Police needs to act promptly in such cases as there could be a law and order problem,” he said.

“In Goa, you can take a license for massage parlours and undertake prostitution activities at will. Such illegalities have been happening all over the State and especially along the coastal belt of Calangute.”

“I have tabled a Calling Attention Motion in the House for answer on specific questions in this matter, but it is yet to be taken up by the Speaker. I will request my government to do something concrete with required amendments so that there is a thorough check on illegal activities in the premises of spas or parlours,” assured Lobo.