Calangute
was once known as Goa’s most sought after tourist destination, but
of late, the village has acquired a notorious reputation due to drug
peddling and the flesh trade cases registered from there, with even
politicians accused of being hand-in-glove with those behind the
racket.
But
this won’t continue for long. Locals have had enough and have
openly voiced their concerns over illegal businesses like drugs,
prostitution and illegal constructions and the youth have united
under the banner of ‘Save Calangute’ to oppose the illegalities.
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A
couple of days ago, the Save Calangute members were accused of
ransacking Cricketers Bar and Restaurant, which they claim was a
front for illegalities. An FIR stands registered at Calangute police
station against their president, Kundan Kerkar, and 10 others in the
case.
Save
Calangute has also raised its voice against illegal dance bars and
massage parlours. Today, if Calangute has seen a drop in prostitution
cases, it is primarily Save Calangute that has to be thanked for it.
Speaking
to Herald, Kerkar says that though Save Calangute believes in the
judiciary and the law, they would not be deterred by the complaints
and threats. “We will not be intimidated by the FIRs and complaints
against us or our members. We will continue to act against the
illegalities that are happening in the village,” says a statement
issued by Kundan Kerkar.
Kerkar
says the authorities despite knowing of the illegalities in the
village are turning a blind eye to them. “Every time we, the
people, have to point out the illegalities and despite this the
authorities have failed to act,” he said.
According
to him, the main reason for coming under the banner of Save Calangute
was to retain the identity of the village and not allow the name of
the village and constituency to be tarnished by a few.
“Today,
we have become strangers in our own village. If a local man puts up a
tea stall somewhere in the village, his structure is immediately
demolished or he has to dance to the tunes of the panchayat and
various authorities but when a non-Goan, be it a Delhiite or anybody
else, comes up with a huge illegal hotel project, he is welcomed with
open arms by the authorities,” he says, adding “Are the
authorities here for locals or non-Goans?”
But
Kerkar says while his team of around 200-300 youth is doing a
tremendous job, they also faced threats from the police and the other
authorities for the reason obvious to everyone – their haftas have
stopped.
“People
and businessmen do approach us offering bribes of lakhs of rupees but
our aim is to free Calangute of such menaces,” he says.
However,
“Many a times police at Calangute and nearby police stations have
threatened to book us under several offences.”
Save
Calangute Secretary, Godwin Fernandes says, “Come what may, we will
not stop from what we are doing. We aren’t scared of going to
jail.”
According
to Godwin, the idea of Save Calangute was generated in 2013 when a
local was badly beaten, allegedly by the goons of Cricketers Bar and
Restaurant for questioning the illegal businesses being carried out
at his restaurant.
While
the group has around 3000 members from the village and all of their
families supporting them, they say Save Calangute is not affiliated
to any politician.
“We
seek help from politicians as and when needed in the cases but we are
not for or against any particular politician as Save Calangute is a
non-political organisation and has no ambition to convert it into a
political party,” says Kerkar.
