AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
ANJUNA: Convinced that the government is dancing to the tunes of organisers playing loud music in violation of Supreme Court orders, villagers from Anjuna to Arambol are pooling their resources for the candle light protest, planned on Independence Day outside Anjuna police station.
“I am a member of the noise monitoring committee constituted as per the directions of the High Court on March 21, 2007 and being in it is useless because the authorities do not care,” observed a demoralised Devanand Shirodkar.
“I went to visit an old friend who lives in a roof house in Vagator yesterday (Sunday) night and was pained to hear the music blasting through. We have reached a very sad state, where outsiders today care a damn for the old and the young of the village and this is partly because we have been taking things easy for long,” reflects Shirodkar, who claims that despite being a member of the noise monitoring committee, he has still not been provided with the instruments to measure noise decibels.
“This committee is a mockery and will continue to be so as long as the police are not instructed to act. Loud music can easily be stopped by the police but that are not,” believes Shirodkar.
“I am at a funeral now but will call you later,” said Dominic Pereira, the other member of the Anjuna Noise Monitoring Committee, when asked about his role so far. Dominic did not respond to calls till the time of going to the press.
Convinced that there is much more than meets the eye- the government and organisers nexus - residents on the coastal belt think the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court is their last recourse and the candle light meet on August 15, their best attempt to highlight their woes.
“Agitation is the only way forward. It is very obvious that it is the government that is benefitting by allowing laws to be broken. If the Chief Minister is not going to do anything, how can we expect the police?” questions Clive D’Souza from south Anjuna.
“The problem can easily be solved by the police and it is obvious they are instructed not to. The organisers of such events, on the contrary, are not even scared thus making the link obvious,” asserts D’Souza, who believes this Independence Day protest is an opportunity not to be wasted.
For instance, In a letter submitted and acknowledged by Anjuna police at 4.15 am on August 3, 2024 Desmond Alvares , petitioner to the High Court states: “It is 4 am Saturday 3rd August ,2024 and even after informing PCR and Anjuna Police at about 2.30 am about the loud trance music no action was taken. Went to the spot at Ozrant Anjuna and video recorded the events.”
“Even though HC has passed several orders, no action is being taken by Anjuna police,” said Alvares.
“We have formed a group and have tried to raise awareness through it about the ill effects and how to fight the menace. It is now clear that only the High Court will save us and we are sure our voices will be heard through the media by the courts,” asserted Rita Ali from Vagator.
Peoples angst on loud music has travelled right up to Arambol and it is reflected through Remdios Fernandes’ who says, “This guy who has advertised his four day party , conveniently drops the name of the Chief Minister and thinks he can roll over us by doing so.”