Panaji (Goa): Massage? Permanent Tatto? Radiant bracelets? This is how the “well trained” migrant children are harassing the tourists on the beaches in a bid to earn money this tourist season. Suspected to be a part of organized gang, who train these children to carry out activity on the beaches, these juveniles have created nuisance prompting a BJP legislator to call for an emergency meeting with the Tourism Department and Goa Police. Groups of beggars suddenly emerging on the beaches have also troubled coastal MLA Michael Lobo who fears it could affect quality tourism in Goa.  

“Empty promises are made that beaches will be free of nuisances. In fact over 500 children are asking every tourist on the beaches for massage, tour, buying jewelries, etc. This is a dent on Goa’s image. Why is tourism department and the Goa police shying away from taking action,” questioned Lobo. With majority juveniles being girls, the legislator also suspects prostitution activity. He has demanded an immediate crackdown on the illegal activities and remanding these children to Apna Ghar.

Miffed with the failure to curb the menace, the deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly is also likely to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sorry state of affairs in the coastal belt of Goa.

Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Minister for Tourism Manohar Azgaonkar had directed for strong police deployment at all beaches and tourist spots across the State to curb varied nuisances that continue to haunt tourists visiting Goa. He had also directed the Goa Police to take stern   and immediate action against all unauthorized activities, hawking etc, along the beach belt. 

In a press release issued here today, the minister said, “After taking over  as the Minister for Tourism, I  convened  several meetings  with senior most officials  of the Goa Police, tourism  stakeholders like shack owners, TTAG representatives etc to  formulate, plan and  streamline tourism activities at various tourist spots in Goa, particularly  on the beach front. One of the meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar wherein a special committee was constituted to look into the issues concerning safety and security of tourists and to advise the government accordingly.”