Around 500 people from the coastal belt of Calangute and Baga in North Goa on Sunday took out a rally protesting against the 'Dance Bar' culture, drugs and prostitution in the locality and demanded action.
Senior citizens and women who participated in the rally along with youths demanded that the 'dance bar' culture be stopped immediately as it is spoiling the name of Goa.
Youths speaking on the occasion submitted that not just girls, even boys are not safe in the area due to the 'dance bar' menace.
"We are afraid to move out of the house during the evening. Earlier such a situation was not there. Hence we need to eradicate dance bars, touts and drugs from here," a woman who participated in the rally said, adding the government should take action on illegalities.
On Sunday, locals rallied around 3 km against 'dance bar culture', which was banned in Mumbai-Maharashtra in the year 2005, as it has now spread its wings in Goa.
Facing nuisance, the BJP leaders in the coastal belt from North Goa are up in arms against it, claiming that it is tarnishing the image of the coastal state.
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira from Calangute constituency, speaking to IANS, said that around 500 locals participated in the rally.
"Today, we all protested against dance bars by carrying out a rally," he said.
According to him, there are around 16 illegal dance bars operating in his panchayat jurisdiction.
"We have not permitted anyone to operate dance bars, licences are issued only for restaurants. There is no provision to issue a licence for a dance bar, hence the restaurant licence is being used for illegal purposes," Sequeira said.
"No sooner had the dance bars been banned in Mumbai, they looked at Goa as an opportunity to spread this concept here. My village's name is getting spoilt for this illegal trade. This should be stopped. Our elected representatives (MLAs) should discuss this issue in the Assembly session and put a ban on it," Sequeira added.
Earlier in December, last year, Goa's BJP MLA Michael Lobo had met Director of General of Police (DGP) Jaspal Singh and sought action against illegal dance bars operating in his constituency Calangute, and touts who cheat tourists.
Lobo, who participated in the rally, said that he doesn't want dance bar culture in the locality. "We need to remain united on this issue," Lobo urged youths.
"Agents and touts roam on roads and bring the customers to dance bars. They swipe their cards debiting Rs 25 to 30 thousand. But whatever they promise to the tourists, they don't provide it. Then, tourists are assaulted if they demand to return their money. There are various such cases," Lobo had said in December.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.