PANJIM: The re-opening of casinos is back into controversy! After chaotic rush outside casino offices, a disturbing mid-road drama involving casino visitors and Goans early Wednesday morning has raised questions on public safety.
In a video, perhaps shot by a local, three men are seen chasing an individual who trips and falls on the road. The men were later seen thrashing the individual in front of several onlookers, an incident that occurred in front of an offshore casino office around 7:30 am.
The unknown person, who filmed the fight from the other side of the road, is also heard provoking the accused to beat the victim. Left in the middle of the road, two casino security personnel approach the victim to check his condition but walk away soon later.
The Panjim police was quick to register an offence under Section 160 (causing affray) of the Indian Penal Code against the accused, some of whom are reportedly from Maharashtra. An officer said that one accused, on being identified was intercepted while enroute to his native state. A team was sent to arrest him. The other accused are in the process of being traced. As on Wednesday night, no further update was made available.
The viral video prompted Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai and former Panjim legislator Sidharth Kuncalienker to take to their respective Twitter handles demanding police action.
“I am sure this video by a bystander of #lawlessness situation on our #Panaji’s main Dayanand Bandodkar Marg during peak hours will not be tolerated & all culprits will be booked and punished,” Sidharth tweeted reacting to the video.
“The @DGP_Goa should be concerned of this lawlessness rather the legitimate people’s opposition to the anti-Goan projects aimed at Goa’s second colonization which he believes are development projects,” Sardesai joined Sidharth while also taking a dig at police chief Mukesh Kumar Meena for supporting double tracking and highway expansion at a latest press conference.
Amidst opposition, the State government decided to re-open casinos from November 1 in an attempt to revive tourism, which suffered a setback due to COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. But soon, overcrowding of domestic travellers without masks and failing to maintain social distancing forced the Traffic Police and the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) to bring the situation under control. Several people have since been fined for violating the health safety standards and improper parking of vehicles.