ANJUNA: As the High Court of Bombay at Goa directing the concerned authorities to take stern measures to stop playing of loud music beyond 10 pm except on designated dates, venues moved indoors with the nerve-racking music in Anjuna’s coastal belt, on Christmas night which continued even next day up to 8 am.
However locals said that there were outdoor parties held too, flouting the HC directions.
It may be recalled that the High Court on November 30 had directed the concerned authorities to take stern measures to stop loud music beyond 10 pm except on designated dates. Acting on the same, the menace of loud music parties which were organised in the coastal belt had come under control.
The locals as well as the members of the noise pollution monitoring committee of Anjuna confirmed that four to five premises continued till late night as well as in wee hours the next day. It is also learnt that some of these places have parties till New Year with entry fee of up to Rs 2 lakh.
“Even when loud music is banned after 10 pm except for Christmas, parties played loud music on Sunday night which continued till next day even up to 8 am" claimed Dominic Pereira, president of Anjuna Noise Pollution Committee.
“Even after informing the SP, flying squad and Anjuna Police, they reported that no noise could be heard loud and clear three kilometres away. The places which were stinking of ganja, ” Desmond Alvares, a local complained.
When contacted Anjuna PI Prashal Desai said, “Our patrolling teams patrol in the night and attend to calls with regards to music parties but we have not received any complaint with regards to loud music on Sunday night.”
“Tourists come to Goa for parties and drugs. At present the government is not capable of getting tourists, who don’t party or drug. To bring quality tourists, better infrastructure is required. It doesn’t look like the government is willing to stop the rave parties although the High Court has issued directions. They are just for name sake for this government as the same is not being implemented. This government thinks it is above the High Court,” said Ravi Harmalkar, a local from Anjuna.