PANAJI
Hours after two videos showing illegal activities near the busy coastal belt of Baga and Calangute beachside spread widely on social media, the Crime Branch registered a First Information Report against five individuals, including the person who filmed the clip of alleged prostitution racket.
The case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said, adding that teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend those named in the complaint.
One of the videos, which circulated since Monday night, showed a foreign woman allegedly soliciting customers along the Calangute-Baga road, a stretch frequented by tourists. The woman allegedly placed her rate for a certain time frame with some men seeking inquires about the 'rate and hour' with her.
Another clip earlier this week showed a male foreigner pointing at two men who approached him on the beach, allegedly offering drugs. The authenticity of both videos has not been independently verified, and the police have not issued a detailed statement confirming their contents.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday to discuss the 'serious incidents affecting the image of Goa’s tourism sector.'
Khaunte said law enforcement must act responsibly and decisively to ensure that Goa remains a safe and welcoming destination for visitors. He also called on the police inspector in charge of the Calangute area to respond promptly to such incidents.
Late Tuesday night, Goa Police issued a statement reiterating a “zero-tolerance policy” toward touting, harassment of tourists and illegal roadside activities, though it made no mention about the viral videos and allegations against the department.
