PANAJI, July 23: About 2,000 commercial sex workers from the redlight area of Baina in the port town of Murmgoa took to the streets on Tuesday, to protest against the State Government's move to clear them out of the area.

The area housing a cluster of hutments, is full of disease and filth, and completes the picture of decay that has set into the life of the export town, crumbling under pressures of intense population and unplanned growth.

The Goa Govt has been under intense pressure to clear Baina of its redlight area since it has become a sore spot in the town.

CM Pratapsingh Rane, has ordered a drive to clear Baina of the commercial sex workers and hutments. Accordingly, eviction notices have been served on them by the South Goa Collector.

The drive is resented by sex workers. Uniting the sex workers in their crusade against the Govt, Municipal Ward councillor Tara Kerkar, says it amounts to violation of human rights.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.