Panaji: The North Goa Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has written to the state tourism department against hotels and lodges providing rooms to minors without verifying their documents.
The letter follows a rescue operation conducted by the CWC, during which four runaway children from Gujarat were rescued from Calangute. They were found staying at a lodge in Baga.
With police assistance, the operation led to the arrest of an adult, while three minors were rescued and lodged at Apna Ghar, Merces.
The letter was issued by CWC Chairperson Esther Torres and members Snehal Salgaonkar, Adv. Chandan Shirodkar, and Andrea Pereira.
Referring to the statements of the rescued children, the CWC noted that they were staying at ‘Bevan Guest House/Bevvan Resort’ in Baga.
During the inquiry, the committee was shocked to learn that the hotel had taken ID proof only of the adult, allowing the minors to stay without verification.
“This is a serious violation of the law and a compromise on safety, putting minors in a grave and vulnerable situation,” the letter stated.
The CWC also highlighted that in several recent runaway cases, hotels and lodges have been flouting laws and disregarding government guidelines for accommodating guests.
The committee has urged the tourism department to take stringent action against such hotels to prevent further violations.
