MAPUSA
In an unprecedented move, Anjuna Police registered cases against five clubs and restaurants along the Anjuna-Vagator coastline for playing loud music during the recent Independence Day weekend.
This crackdown, which occurred between August 14 and 17, marks the first time that such a significant number of establishments have been targeted for noise violations in the area, known for its vibrant nightlife.
The clubs and restaurants booked by the police include Noah Club, Pappi Chulo, and Thalassa Cliff in Vagator, Pirates Café in Anjuna, and Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora.
The action came after a prolonged campaign by local residents, who had organised a candlelight march demanding stricter enforcement of noise regulations.
“This is the effect of the candlelight march. Police have never been so proactive in the past. If not for the villagers who kept the pressure on throughout the four days, things would have been different,” said Desmond Alvares, a local activist known for his efforts against loud music.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that cases were initially registered against the DJs responsible for playing the music, with their equipment, including mixers and speakers, being seized.
These items are often valuable and are considered prized possessions by DJs.
“Initially, we book cases against the DJs, and after conducting an investigation, we register cases against the owners of the clubs or restaurants,” the officer explained.
The police, accompanied by officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), patrolled the coastal belt to monitor compliance with noise regulations.
The Anjuna-Vagator area is a well-known party zone, attracting large numbers of tourists eager to participate in music events at various nightclubs.
Many of these venues had launched online campaigns promoting their events, which promised music from 10 pm until the early hours, despite state laws banning loud music after 10 pm.
However, Alvares criticised the police for not taking action against more prominent and influential clubs known for violating noise regulations.
“There are some influential clubs notorious for playing loud music, yet they failed to make the cut with the police,” Alvares alleged.
He stated that, considering the Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt has over 75 clubs and restaurants, the booking of just five cases was a minuscule number by any stretch of the imagination.
This recent police action highlights the ongoing tension between the area’s nightlife and local residents’ demands for peace and quiet, with many now watching to see if the authorities will continue to enforce noise regulations with the same vigour in the future.
