VAGATOR: It's business as usual. After a lull during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the coastal belt from Anjuna to Arambol is once again witnessing loud music being played by night clubs till early morning and the authorities are playing deaf to complaints by locals.
Local residents from Anjuna and Vagator have on numerous occasions not just called 112 to register their complaints, but have visited Anjuna police station past midnight to demand that loud music be stopped, but in vain.
One such complaint signed by senior citizen Desmond Alvares on May 19 and acknowledged by Anjuna Police station stated: “This is to inform you that despite making calls to PCR about loud music no action was taken by your police station.”
“Complaints were made regarding the Artistry venue at 1.37 am. The constable came with us to the venue after we approached the police station at 2.30 am," read the letter.
"The manager even threatened the police officer after he showed his badge. If this is the situation that police officers face, who are we as civilians to do anything,” the letter stated.
The North Goa SP, responded routinely “Whatever violations you are finding, you report to 112. We will take action on that,” said North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal when braced with the scenario of night clubs starting to play loud music after voting.
“The problem lies in calling 112. I make a call and I get a message stating that a vehicle has been assigned to look into the matter with a contact number. When there is no sign of the vehicle, no one answers the number. In the end, after hours, a message is received stating the matter is resolved when the contrary is true,” avers Dr Inacio Fernandes from Anjuna.
“I am unable to tell you off hand to whom permissions have been issued, but indoor facilities are entitled to play music beyond 10 pm. It is within the law. If provided information, I will do a study on establishments claiming permission beyond 10 pm without sound proofing,” North Goa Collector, Sneha Gite said.
They went quiet for a while but Ohlala is blasting music loud right now. Before 10 pm, they think it’s a free for all. People involved cannot think they can get away all the time. The best approach will be through the High Court,” said anti-noise pollution crusader, Darshan Bhatia, who has in the past attended meetings with the local MLA and Police Inspector and seen empty promises.
“The police don’t care,” thinks Dr Fernandes as he shares a screenshot of a message to Anjuna PI Prashal Desai. It reads: “None of the personnel at your police station are helpful. Please advise whom to contact if you aren’t able to receive calls. Mr Patil at the police station has told me that if the PI can’t be contacted then go ahead and contact the DGP. Please provide me the number of the DGP if you want me to disturb him for this issue? Thank you.”
“We were promised by the owners of Diaz that they are moving indoors and we assumed that the music would not disturb us. They have covered the place with some material and we are unable to sleep again with the noise and not sound proofed it,” said an exasperated Agnes D’Souza.
“Loud music is definitely disturbing the people from the village and especially those families that live nearby clubs. There are many people who are suffering and they will do their best to explain their pain,” stated Fr Marcelino D’Souza, Parish Priest of Vagator.