NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji
Goa on Wednesday cancelled licences of 22 bars situated at Baina beach, the state's red light area situated in the port town of Vasco.
Surprisingly, the state Excise Commissioner P S Reddy, in his three-page order, has also suggested the competent authorities to displace sex workers from the area, though it does not fall under his jurisdiction.
Many NGOs working with the sex workers have strongly opposed the displacement move, demanding their rehabilitation. Almost all the sex workers are non-Goans, most of who come from Andhra Pradesh.
In a sudden move last month, the state excise authorities had suspended licences of all these small pubs from the Baina red light area, pending personal hearing.
Almost after four decades of its existence, the authorities have now found that these bars are detrimental to public interest and pose a threat to law and order.
Intelligence reports had suggested that several criminals from the neighbouring states, and especially from Mumbai, were found to have been taking shelter at Baina.
Moreover, the Mormugao Port Trust, for its expansion plans, wants to reclaim the area by wiping out the whole beach.
The MPT plans to construct an outer harbour, a project worth over Rs 2500 crore, with private participation.
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