MAPUSA
Less than two weeks after the government ordered the sealing of six nightclubs in the Anjuna-Vagator belt following the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy, four establishments have resumed operations, hosting events and playing loud music despite the Fire and Emergency Services confirming that no fresh No Objection Certificates were issued.
This has raised serious questions over enforcement, political patronage and the persistence of the alleged “hafta” culture in Goa’s nightlife hub.
The Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC), constituted by the State government after the tragic fire incident, had ordered the sealing of six nightclubs in Anjuna and Vagator for failing to comply with mandatory safety norms. However, within little over a week, four of the sealed clubs “ Salud, Mayan Beach Club, Diaz and CO2 “ were found hosting events and playing loud music.
Only Clara and Goya continue to remain shut.
What has deepened the controversy is the categorical denial by the Fire and Emergency Services Department that no fresh No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued to the reopened clubs.
“We have not given any permission to these clubs. No fire NOC has been issued to CO2 or any of the other sealed establishments. Our audit is still ongoing to identify restaurants and clubs operating without fire clearance,” said Director of Fire and Emergency Services Nitin Raiker.
Despite this, political statements from the ruling dispensation have added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding situation.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo claimed that the clubs reopened only after complying with all required protocols.
“The clubs which have started operations have followed the norms and reopened accordingly,” Lobo said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, however, stopped short of giving a direct answer when questioned about the apparent contradiction between official denials and the reopening of clubs.
“These clubs were sealed and asked to produce the necessary documents. If any club is found operating without proper permissions, the government will not hesitate to shut it down,” Sawant told the media.
The reopening of clubs within days of being sealed has reignited discussions around the alleged “hafta” system “ an informal protection network that residents and activists say has long enabled illegal operations along the North Goa coastal belt, even after repeated crackdowns.
Residents and activists argue that the speed with which sealed establishments resumed operations raises fundamental questions: how were permissions secured within days, who authorised the reopening, and why enforcement agencies appear divided on the issue.
As loud music once again blares across Anjuna and Vagator, the episode has strengthened perceptions that while crackdowns may be announced with urgency, their impact often fades quickly “ leaving the rules intact on paper, but negotiable on the ground.
