AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
ANJUNA: The social ethos of Anjuna village has gone from bad to worse with drugs and loud music. However, tensions flared on Sunday when the gram sabha took a violent turn where a doctor, advocating for a resolution against mega events in the village, was allegedly assaulted and abused by ‘village goons’ that too in the presence of the men-in-uniform and the panchayat members.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“A few years ago, there was a place called ‘Mancher’ in front of my house that played loud music through the night. Out of desperation, I one day walked to the club in my night dress to complain and was accosted by the same Gajanan Tilve,” recollects disgusted resident Agnes D’Souza who is part of a group fighting noise pollution.
The gram sabha took an ugly turn when a Resolution against Sunburn & Mega Event Festivals submitted by Jenny Crasto came up for discussion and voter from Anjuna Dr Inacio Fernandes stood up to speak.
Hardly had he begun, when Tilve, alleged to have connections with the local ruling dispensation, marched from outside and started slapping Dr Inacio on the head before he was stopped by a lady, who later identified herself as Ana Fernandes.
As Dr Inacio fell, Ana stood her ground and ultimately the police intervened and kept the protagonists of loud music at bay. After loud accusations and counter accusations, Anjuna sarpanch called off the gram sabha.
“These goons were sent by the Calangute MLA and his wife to disrupt the resolution against Sunburn as it became evident we were in a majority. Had we passed the resolution, it was a knock out from Goa for them,” said Ana.
“A few days ago, Dr Inacio submitted a letter to the panchayat with an Assagao address. The letter was circulated and many villagers asked me how he could be entertained when he is not a voter from the village,” disclosed Anjuna Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar.
“He presented his credentials yesterday, but I asked him to remain silent during the gram sabha. I also do not understand why he requisitioned the police,” wondered the sarpanch.
“Our presence at gram sabha is routine,” explained a policeman present, whilst Dr Inacio scoffed.
“Like many others, we do not want Sunburn too. But, we were upset by the way Dr Inacio goes around trying to close local restaurants in the evening and intimidates customers,” reasoned Yogesh Mogambo, part of the agitated group at the gram sabha and leader of taxi drivers of Goa.
“Music is the backbone of tourism,” Mogambo tried to justify. “By that I do not mean that the Supreme Court judgment or the High Court directions should be ignored. But, that does not mean Dr Inacio should take the law in his hands,” Mogambo countered.
“As a doctor, if I see any child entering any such venue, I will always speak. And whenever, I have spoken, I have never made my comments personal,” reacted Dr Inacio.
Calisto Fernandes, whose restaurant was one of the 175 ordered to be sealed by the Bombay High Court at Goa, was another villager moving menacingly and abusing Dr Inacio.
“Calisto was upset because Dr Inacio went to his restaurant, which he is now running under a different name, and created a scene outside at 7 pm. Why is he stepping on our stomachs,” asked Mogambo.
“The Supreme Court has not simply laid down decibel levels. Our fight in Anjuna is to restore our right to live peacefully and have a decent death. If a unit is breaking the law with impunity, I will be there to protest,” asserted Dr Inacio.
“I hit him because before the meeting could start, he physically attacked me,” stated BJP member Gajanan Tilve who assaulted Dr Inacio, when his back was towards him, and against whom a complaint has been filed in the Anjuna Police Station.
“What can I do if you or others have not seen me being attacked? I will send you a copy,” said Tilve when questioned why he opted for violence.
