AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
We couldn’t enjoy ourselves and were promised a proper Easter Eve bash. Sadly, by evening we were informed that the party was cancelled, and we couldn’t even book return flights,” said Zoya Singh, who had arrived from New Delhi with friends.Anjuna–Vagator sees subdued Easter weekend, tourists disappointed: Event cancellations and curbs leave visitors with limited nightlife options“The Black Coffee party, which was stopped last night due to lack of permissions, was also cancelled today for the same reason. No permission means we cannot allow a party to be held,” said Tikam Singh Verma, acting North Goa SP.
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The cancellation of the high-profile event has raised questions about the role of organisers who promote such parties without securing necessary clearances. “It is only in Goa that parties are advertised without permissions being granted. This does not happen in other states. On one hand, Goa markets itself as a party destination; on the other, tourists are being fleeced. The least the government can do is investigate and stop such malpractices,” said Marcos from Mumbai, as he wondered where to spend his Saturday night.Despite the cancellation, tourist footfall in Vagator and Anjuna remained high. However, many visitors appeared uncertain about where to go, especially as news spread of the death of a young tourist on Good Friday. While Anjuna police declined to share details, sources indicated that the deceased was the son of a prominent figure from Madhya Pradesh. Some locals believe the incident prompted authorities to advise establishments to “tone down loud music” on Saturday.The body was sent to Goa Medical College for post-mortem, though results were awaited at the time of reporting. As night fell, tourists could be seen asking for directions to venues that might still be open. “It has never felt this uncertain or unsettling in Goa. This is not the Goa I know,” said Rouf from Surat. Locals, meanwhile, blamed both organisers and authorities for the situation. “Had the panchayat, police, and the Deputy Collector’s office been stricter, tourists would not have had to face this mess,” said social activist Balbhim Malvankar.
