Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 18: Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira has criticised the Goa Police, alleging “illegal action” in booking a person who uploaded a video purportedly showing customers being solicited for prostitution in the Baga area.

Ferreira claimed that the individual, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was booked only to avoid embarrassment over the condition of tourism in Goa.

“The action of the police is totally flawed. Perhaps the FIR was registered at the direction of higher-ups or political masters,” Ferreira said.

He further argued that the so-called customers cannot be booked or arrested, and added that the video only showed a woman allegedly soliciting in a public place.

“There is nothing obscene in the uploaded video, and recording and sharing it is not an offence. The FIR shows the police have not applied their mind,” he said.

Ferreira also alleged that several illegal and anti-social activities continue unchecked in tourist areas, claiming that corruption among officials was enabling such practices.

He added that similar videos and reports of unruly tourist behaviour are frequently circulated, but action is not taken in many cases.