Tourists in Goa were today kept away from venturing into the sea as hundreds of lifeguards staged a protest at popular Calangute beach in north Goa pressing for theirs long standing demands.
As many as 600 lifeguards, employed with Drishti Lifesaving Services Pvt Ltd, are on a three-day strike since yesterday demanding regularisation in services and pay hike. They took out a morcha in Calangute beach village.
Amid jeopardy over tourists safety at popular beaches, state tourism department has instructed police personnel to man the beaches.
"Tourism department has instructed us to man beaches. There were not enough lifeguards on the beaches. No tourist was allowed to venture into the waters," a senior police officer said.
Police personnels were seen instructing tourists to stay from the sea as it remained rough since morning.
BJP legislator Micheal Lobo representing Calangute constituency participated in the march in solidarity with their demands.
"I apologise on behalf of the state government that we have failed to look into your demands," Lobo, BJP legislator representing Calangute constituency, told the lifeguards.
Meanwhile, the state government has refused to intervene into the matter with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar advising the striking lifeguards to approach the Labour department.
