SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
STHRIGDHARA NAIK
The haughty and vindictive behaviour of the tourists is raising the question on the safety of locals, especially those along the coastal belt. In yet another censure incident that occurred along the coastal belt, a parking attendant lost his life due to the spiteful behaviour of tourists in Anjuna, in broad day light. In view of this, a fury raged from all corners of the State.
Speaking to Herald Amey Prabhu Dessai, an advocate remembering the similar incident that has occurred in Old-Goa, in which a Goan was killed by a non-Goan said, a tourist when visiting some other local place must be silent and careful rather than arrogant.
“Whatever happened is condemnable and offensive as far as overall situation and law is concerned. To curb this kind of incidents there should be fear of law and order which unfortunately is seen lacking in the State of Goa most of the time. We rarely get to hear such incidences in other countries like Dubai since in such countries law and order is strict, due to which the citizens follow all the protocols out of fear”, he added.
Speaking further he said governments have to be extra vigilant to ensure safety of locals and to curb the crime rate at tourist places. “In view of this, police force must be deployed at proper timings and places or at least such areas must be fitted with surveillance cameras. The authorities must act strictly to change the general and most importantly a wrong view of tourist that anything and everything can go in Goa”, he said.
Anand Raikar, a student said, the illegalities and crime rate is increasing due to rise in corruption in the State, especially in coastal belt of the State. “If rules and regulations are strictly implemented by the authorities then such horrible incidents can be restrained”, said Raikar.
Doctor Dattaram Dessai from Ponda said, may be what we know is the general view of the incident. “I don’t know what exactly must have happened between the parking attendant and the tourist. We are unaware about how the parking attendant who asked for the parking fees spoke to them, or how the tourists reacted i.e. how the scuffle started”, said Dessai. Speaking further he said, tourists visiting our State should realise that this is a decent State and should behave accordingly. Similarly, the Goans also should treat them in a proper way. “They also should not try to make money out of everything. Both the sides should behave properly. It finally depends upon ones behaviour”, Dessai added further.
Sweta Gauns, a physiotherapist, said the fights over the parking fees are becoming almost common at the tourist places. “This might be because the parking attendants of particular State tend to charge extra from tourist other than the locals. To avoid such arbitrariness, there should be proper parking allotment with written boards about the parking fees at all the tourist places”. Speaking further she said, “I condemn this act of killing. Tourists are seen roaming very carelessly and turning into hooligans over the issues with locals. This hooliganism must be curbed”.
Devendra Kuwelkar, lecturer from Government Polytechnic Curchorem said, apart from being responsible citizen one should be a sensible human to abide by the laws of this democratic nation. “It’s high time that we realise to respect the roles of every individual. As per the law, appropriate action should be initiated against all those involved in this untoward incident to prevent similar things happening in future. Right precedence needs to be set to deal with such cases otherwise this incidence may be the precedence for many more to occur in future”.
Nutan Prabhu a retired assistant teacher of Sharada English High School, Marcela said that it is the uncontrolled human nature that causes rise in such incidences. “Irrespective of whether a person is tourist or a local, anger that gives rise to criminal activities affects common people and unbalances the society. By enforcing certain practices of Yoga, meditation we should walk towards the making of a better society”.
Maisie Fernandes, an Engineer said this behaviour of tourists is highly unacceptable. “Locals will fear from taking up lowest levels jobs and will hesitate to trust tourists if such incidents continue. Tourists visiting the State think it is very easy to manage police and other authorities by bribing or in some other way”, Fernandes added.
“The view of tourists that Goa is all sand and liquor should be changed by enforcing the existing laws in a more stricter manner. I vehemently condemn the crime done by tourist on Goans. Strict rules should be implemented for tourists and the criminals should be put behind the bars", said Ramona Fernandes, a housewife from Margao.
