PANAJI
While the Anjuna police were prompt to act against Sunburn for playing loud music and enforce a 10 pm shutdown, several villagers are upset with police’s stoic silence over ear-splitting music played by other clubs in Vagator. In one such incident, some locals were allegedly assaulted by club operators for reporting the matter to the police.
In separate complaints, the villagers identified the party venues that are playing excessively loud music starting at 10 pm till the next morning. “We and our families continue to suffer ear-splitting music from the clubs that begins at 10 pm and fearlessly ends at 10:30 am the next day. We, our children, elders and the sick suffer a lot from this,” reads one of the complaint copies, submitted by locals led by one Dominic Fernandes, to Anjuna police late Friday night. They claimed that these clubs have even failed to install the mandatory sound display boards.
The villagers have also accused the police of giving a cold shoulder to their calls on emergency numbers. “Inspite of several calls made to 112 and Anjuna police station, these clubs still continue to violate the law where the High Court states that ‘No Music Beyond 10 pm’. Our sincere plea to the Anjuna PS to take strict action against these clubs and confiscate their amplifiers,” it said while reminding the cops that refusal to act against the violation amounts to contempt of court.
On Saturday, another complaint was filed expressing disappointment over police’s inaction despite evidence and written complaint. The villagers subsequently warned that police would be held responsible for any action as they were proceeding to these places to forcibly stop the loud music.
In a separate incident, some locals were allegedly beaten by club operators with complaints and counter-complaints filed against each other. Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Nidhin Valsan said they are probing if the clash was due to loud music or other reasons. “There was an issue and we have registered an FIR. Complaints are filed by the victims and the accused… some dispute happened… Investigation in the primary stage and we are inquiring into the reason for the fight,” he said.
