VAGATOR: Four days of candle-lit proceedings followed by a proceeding at the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, the next day, is giving the people of Anjuna and Vagator the luxury of sleep again even though the hearing of Contempt Petition no. 12/23 scheduled for Wednesday was adjourned to August 28.
“I was first called by the police and informed that they were asking for a postponement seeking time to compile and prepare their statement. I was apprehensive at first. It was only after the GSPCB advocate called me later, seeking a week’s time, that I believed,” petitioner Desmond Alvares told O Heraldo.
The shifting over though left a few villagers amused and unsure of what lay ahead for them.
“I thought, I heard the judges ask the police to give a time frame of how long it would take them to act on receipt of complaint and the GSPCB to give the deadline for setting up the live noise monitoring system. Does that require a week? I thought, it was straightforward,” wondered Desmond D’Souza, one of the villagers who had attended the High Court proceeding on August 19.
There was no noise in general after 10 pm. However, locals said five high-profile units are still playing music beyond the permissible norms of fifty-five decibels – and four of these have no Consent to Operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
“Loud music could be heard from around 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday night,” said Desmond Alvares petitioner of contempt Petition 12/23.
“I filmed the proceedings and sent them to the North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP),” Alvares disclosed.
GSPCB, through its advocate, had submitted to the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, a list of three hundred and eighty-two ‘Units in Village Panchayat Anjuna–Caisua that have been issued valid Consent to Operate under the Water Act and Air Act from August 13, 2024’.
“I just took charge yesterday (Wednesday) and have not seen the document presented to the High Court. I will see to it that none of the places mentioned will operate,” said Suraj Gauns, the new Police Inspector (PI) of Anjuna police station.
Life around the village had a colour of optimism though not many were ready to eat the cake before tasting it.
“It has been silent and the change in attitude is palpable,” said Parish Priest Fr Marcelino D’Souza, after an interaction with his Anjuna parishioners.
In Small Vagator, Janie Crasto who has been fighting for a decent life for her autistic son, smiled in oblivion observing him smile as he played around with family.
“I hope this is not a dream. I don’t want to believe so because I know, the High Court is now holding our candle,” said an emotional mother who has been fighting, in vain, for silence.
“I get the feeling that the people will come out again if the organisers of these parties think that they can always fool the people. I hope the authorities realise that the people have reposed their faith in the High Court,” observed Fr D’Souza.
“People have suffered a lot and hence it will take time for the truth to set in, if any. Vigilantism has not stopped and they are actively monitoring the situation,” he submitted.