18 Nov 2023  |   05:58am IST

Goa Police urges Siolim, Anjuna restaurateurs to promote safe travel of patrons

Warns of strict action if any security guard or ‘bouncers’ found misbehaving with tourists; asks business establishments not to take law into their hands and instead inform police if any untoward incident takes place

Team Herald

PANJIM: With the tourist season expected to reach its peak next month, the Goa Police on Friday urged the proprietors representing clubs, pubs, and restaurants located in Anjuna and Siolim to promote safe travel of patrons.

Speaking to reporters after holding the meeting with proprietors representing clubs, pubs, and restaurants, Mapusa Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jivba Dalvi said, “The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Sunburn and New Year are approaching and they will bring more footfalls. So we should see that tourists are not taken to task because they are coming to enjoy.”

The police officer warned of strict action if any security guard or ‘bouncers’ were found misbehaving with tourists.

“There was recently an assault on tourists by the security personnel and so-called bouncers. I have given strong warning to them. There is nothing called ‘bouncers’. They are security guards and they should behave like security guards. No one has the right to assault tourists or misbehave with them. If they find that any tourist is drunk or has met with an accident, they should inform the police,” he said.

The police asked the business establishments not to take law into their hands and instead inform police if any untoward incident takes place.

Stating that most accidents take place when the tourists are drunk, the police official said business establishments should ensure that the patrons take taxis and reach home safely.

He also asked the establishments to check antecedents of the employees they were hiring as some of the workers come to Goa only to commit theft and for that reason they enroll themselves as workers.

“They should be brought to the police station. The photograph will be clicked. At least there will be fear among them that their report is with the police,” the police officer said, adding that the establishments were urged to advise the guests to follow traffic rules.

“We have told them that if anybody is not following traffic rules; click a photo and send it to us. We have registered offences against the drivers and the owners whose traffic violation videos have been found on social media. We are taking strong action and will continue to do so,” he said.