SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
MORJIM: Yet another incident of tourist rash driving at the beach unfolded on Monday at Morjim Beach when a drunk tourist with a private car recklessly drove along the Morjim seashore causing a nuisance and potentially posing a threat to the locals at the beach.
As per sources, the car accommodated two drunk tourists who rented this private car. This disturbing incident sparked outrage among environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. A video footage showing the car recklessly speeding along the olive Ridley Turtle nesting site in Morjim, went viral.
The footage shared widely on social media platforms depicts the vehicle carelessly manoeuvring through the delicate nesting area, raising serious concerns about the impact on the olive Ridley turtles.
The incident triggered a wave of condemnation as such vehicles are strictly prohibited on beaches, with even more stringent restrictions in place on those marked as turtle nesting sites.
Conservationists and local authorities have called for legal action against those found guilty of endangering the fragile ecosystem. The video serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations and the need for increased vigilance to protect the vulnerable species during their crucial nesting periods.
The Mandrem police have registered a case against driver identified as Ashish Krishna Pandey (32), a native of Delhi and currently residing at Anjuna and the car owner Agnel Viegas of Taleigao. Police said that Pandey drove the vehicle dangerously and recklessly while Viegas tented his private vehicle to Pandey without permit.
When contacted Pernem DySP Jivba Dalvi said, “The vehicle was a private car. It has been attached and challan has been issued to the driver under section 184 and 192-A of Motor Vehicle Act. The vehicle has been attached by police and it has been kept at the police station. Once it is cleared by the Court then the other formalities will be completed.”
Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, said, “We have serious note of the incident and has reported the matter to the police and requested to register an FIR against the accused.”
ASI Sandeep Bhonsle is conducting further investigations under Mandrem PI Sherif Jacques and Pernem DySP Jivba Dalvi.
