MAPUSA
A string of criminal incidents, both recent and past, has cast a shadow over North Goa's coastal belt, raising concerns about the region's safety.
With the local police struggling to maintain law and order, questions are being asked about whether the coastal area is becoming a hotspot for illicit activities. Here's a look at some of the major cases that have shaken North Goa's coastline.
Bouncer attack
in Baga
Tito’s Lane in Baga, known for its vibrant nightlife, was abruptly transformed into a crime scene in the early hours of October 14, when a large group of bouncers from Down Town Club violently attacked two brothers, leaving them seriously injured.
CCTV footage of the brutal assault shocked the local community, but the slow response from the police prompted outraged villagers to march to the police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the club owner and those responsible.
The incident also led to swift action against law enforcement, with the Calangute Police Inspector and his subordinate being transferred to the Goa Reserve Police.
Illegal demolition
in Assagao
Three months ago, the quiet village of Assagao was shaken by a shocking incident when at least 10 bouncers, along with earthmoving machinery, illegally demolished part of a local Goan family's home in what appeared to be an act of intimidation aimed at forcibly seizing the property.
The brazen attack sparked outrage not only in the village but across the entire State, with politicians and activists rallying to support the distressed family.
Public anger grew when reports emerged that Anjuna police officers stood by as silent spectators during the illegal demolition.
Although the Anjuna Police Inspector and two others were eventually suspended, this brought little comfort to the outraged community.
The suspended officer later claimed that he had been pressured by his superiors to allow the demolition to proceed.
Sonali Phogat's mysterious
death in Anjuna
The mysterious death of Sonali Phogat, a former actor and Haryana BJP leader, in the beach village of Anjuna became one of the most high-profile cases to shake North Goa's coastal belt in 2022.
Phogat allegedly consumed methamphetamine (MDMA) while partying with two associates at the popular nightclub Curlies.
Though she was reportedly brought dead to St Anthony's Hospital in Anjuna, a post-mortem revealed blunt force injuries on her body.
Goa police arrested Phogat's personal assistant, Sudhir Sangwan, and his friend, Sukhwinder Singh.
The case was later taken over by the CBI, which filed a chargesheet accusing Sangwan and Singh of murdering Phogat to seize her property.
The incident also drew attention to the widespread availability of party drugs along the coast.
Following the incident, authorities took action against Curlies, demolishing a significant portion of the restaurant for operating without the required permits.
Bouncers at it
again in Siolim
Last year, two bouncers from a nightclub in Siolim were arrested for assaulting and extorting money from two tourists. The incident occurred at 'Thalassa,' a well-known nightclub, as the tourists were leaving after a night of partying. A minor accident, in which their car lightly hit a parked scooter while reversing in the club's compound, led to the attack. The bouncers brutally assaulted the tourists and then went on to extort money from them.
Delhi tourist beaten by
Anjuna hotel staff
In another incident last year, a young tourist from Delhi was brutally beaten, allegedly by hotel staff at a property in Anjuna. The altercation began as a minor misunderstanding but quickly escalated into a violent assault. The Anjuna police were slow to act, arresting five people only after the tourist shared a video of the attack on social media. Later, the hotel owner issued a statement claiming that the tourist had misbehaved with the staff despite being repeatedly asked to follow rules while using the swimming pool.
