PANJIM: Calling for a ban on electronic dance music (EDM) festivals, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Churchill Alemao on Monday categorically stated that "there cannot be Sunburn without drugs". 

Speaking to media persons on the ongoing controversy surrounding Sunburn Klassique, following the death of three tourists at the event, Alemao charged that police are hand-in-gloves with the drug peddlers and hence no action is been taken in such big events. 

"Events like Sunburn should be banned completely. Sunburn and drugs go hand in hand. Without drugs there is no Sunburn and if there are no drugs available, no one will even attend events like Sunburn," the former Chief Minister added. 

"Almost 70 per cent of the people, who attend Sunburn, are non-Goans and they come here to consume drugs, which are freely available," he charged further. 

"Why do you want Sunburn in Goa? Is it for the sake of money? Are we encouraging drug culture?" he questioned. 

The MLA added that drug is not Goa's culture but unfortunately, it has been spread like a curse across the State. "Our youths are getting addicted. Drugs are not just restricted to the coastal belt, but it has even reached to the villages," he said.  

When asked about the deaths at Sunburn venue, Alemao said "let post mortem report say anything, but it’s not hidden anymore that these tourists died due to drug overdose". 

Alemao has decided to take up the matter in an aggressive way during the upcoming Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly, beginning from February 3, 2020.