PORVORIM: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has declared that he always welcomed Sunburn EDM festival, since it brings in lot of tourists and creates business for Goan stakeholders. He agreed there is drug sale outside Sunburn venue and there have been cases of drug overdose and deaths inside. That is because people bring drugs inside. “But it is impossible to check 70,000 getting into the venue,” he said.
“Sunburn is taking place in Vagator for so many years, so if organisers want, and CM wants, Sunburn Festival will happen. But people of South Goa are sensitive and may not want it,” he added.
When asked if he was okay if Sunburn goes to South Goa, Michael replied, “There is no problem. People will come to the State. Everybody will benefit. People with guest houses will benefit. Sunburn took place in the North, does anyone sell drugs inside the venue? You show me. We go to see at least two or three times due to media reports. But that there is drug sale is true. There is overdose, there are deaths, but people bring from outside. There is need for ANC, Crime Branch and Police to act.”
“There are about 70,000 people who enter the venue. This is not to sell. It is difficult to check all of them. But it is true there is consumption, there has been overdose and deaths,” he admitted.
Regarding South Goa he said, “People of South Goa are susegad. In the north the entertainment industry is vibrant, whether it is restaurants, clubs or nightclubs. People are sensitive in South Goa. They don’t want. They want South Goa to be like it is now.”
“We have welcomed EDM festival from the start. It is because it brings a lot of tourists to our State. It brings lot of business to our State as far as all stakeholders are concerned and maximum stakeholders are our Goans,” Lobo affirmed.
Regarding the Assagao House demolition, Lobo said, police will do the necessary arrest. He also said that inquiry against the transferred DGP Jaspal Singh will happen in New Delhi.