NESHWIN ALMEIDA
neshwin@herald-goa.com
It’s a scorching 40 degrees Celsius in the day and about 33 degrees Celsius in the evening but with summer holidays this May the city and its suburbs face a huge problem of anti-socials drinking through the night at public spaces and making life a little uncomfortable for residents.
“The agriculture fields at Borda now have street lights and people come in big vehicles and drink till late night. Some anti-socials have even placed vulgar graffiti on our neighbour’s walls while once there was an incident of mobile snatching by these anti-socials,” said a local.
Fatorda Police Inspector Navlesh Dessai says they do take rounds and respond immediately when people call but it’s difficult to keep a watch on the entire town.
“Most often these anti socials indulging in drinking on the road, organise these Urack parties or they gather for a smoke. We often try to clear out these boys who are mostly locals. In case they continue to persist then we bring them to the police station for the night,” explains the police inspector.
But Rocky Noronha who lives just besides the steps of the Monte where again is a well-known joint for anti-socials says, “These anti-socials who come here at night have even destroyed the lights on these heritage steps so that they cannot be noticed but even worse, the steps are also used to abuse drugs.”
Ritesh Naik, who’s also troubled by anti-socials late at night between Pajifond and Malbhat, says that with summer holidays commencing this May, the anti-socials mostly include college students who stay out late night to drink, smoke, do drugs and party loudly along the road with loud music from Bluetooth speakers.
“Firstly obviously the police do little about anti socials and there are so many of them prowling the city, secondly most of these boys have loud motor cycles with modified silencers and exhaust and they race and carry out stunts on the roads of Margao city disturbing the peace of the entire locality,” says Fatima Vaz from Fatorda.
Similar to Fatima’s thoughts is that of local lad Suraj Fondekar who questions the street entertainment and parties organised by MLAs that get permission.
“If we inculcate a culture to party on the streets and sell alcohol on the streets of Fatorda, Margao and Aquem then don’t we set a precedent of anti-socials and their culture for the night? At these government authorities organised events, cops should arrest persons for drunken driving, illegal consumption of alcohol if they carry it beyond the designated street. Traffic police can fine for traffic and safety violations. The government authorities, MMC inspectors, transport department, narcotics cell and traffic cell should together clamp down on evening anti socials and the vandalism they often cause like breaking light connections, destroying beautification carried out or desecrating historical monuments in Margao,” stated Borda resident Savio Soares.
