Will probe if extortion cases are real: Valsan

Panaji: With talks of protection money from clubs and restaurants making the rounds, North Goa SP Nidhin Valsan on Thursday said that they are conducting an inquiry to find out if such incidents have taken place. He said that neither any police station nor he had received any complaint of any demand of protection money from clubs and restaurants.
“We have not received a complaint at any police station nor has my office received such a complaint. But since this (protection money issue) has been raised, we are conducting a discreet inquiry to find out if such a thing happened and after we find it out, if some legal action is required, we will act as per law,” the SP said.
Valsan said that instead of raising the issue over social media, it is better that people use the system in place and file a complaint at a police station. “If there is such an issue, the first and the right channel would be to contact a police station or officer and give the complaint,” he said.
Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo on Tuesday raised the issue about some persons demanding protection money from clubs and restaurants owners in the coastal belt before chief minister Pramod Sawant and demanded action against them. Lobo said that those demanding money are Goans.
“I have explained the issue to the chief minister and I told him that such type of incidents should not happen. He should direct police to act against such persons. It will send a wrong signal,” Lobo had said.