PANJIM: Tourism Minister and Pernem MLA Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar and Congress Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte are at loggerheads over rave parties along the Pernem coast.
Sopte feels Azgaonkar, being a Minister, is not doing enough to curb the late night loud music and drug menace on the coast. Sopte said there is political as well as police patronage for all illegal activities along the Pernem coast.
Azgaonkar speaking to Herald said, “I am not against music, I am against drugs, and enforcement agencies are taking precautions. Our Chief Minister is also serious on the drugs issue.” He added, “We want music to attract national and international tourists to Goa.”
Sopte, who has been opposing late night music parties, said he is surprised that in spite of the government being serious on loud music and drugs, the menace still continues. “I also had many offers from party organisers to keep my mouth shut. I never listened to them in greed of money and I will never keep quiet,” he said.
Sopte, on Wednesday submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, the North Goa Collector, Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police North Goa and others to stop the loud music beyond the permissible time limit. “I am also not against the music but it should be streamlined and monitored to happen within the framework of the law,” he said.
