VAGATOR: Convinced that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the police, the Collector’s office and the Anjuna Panchayat have been feeding them empty promises, villagers from Anjuna and Vagator have decided to hold a candlelight protest against loud music allowed to be played in violation of Supreme Court orders on Independence Day outside Anjuna Police Station.
“We have decided to have our third candlelight meet on Independence Day outside the Anjuna Police Station to protest how the government thinks it can fool us all the time,” stated an upset Antonio Moraes from Vagator.
The first candlelight meet was held in February which started outside an establishment and ended at the Anjuna Police Station and the second was held outside a restaurant in Anjuna where the police for the first time seized equipment but failed to register an FIR.
“Our MLA came and promised us before the then PI that music will not be allowed after 10 pm and parties could be heard the same night. The Chief Minister came before the elections and made a similar promise and nothing happened. They must stop believing we are fools,” added Moraes.
North Goa Collector Dr Sneha Gitte had not responded to queries WhatsApped to her on Sunday nor did she respond to phone calls on Sunday. Nor did she reply to the query: Can you please let us know to whom and how many permissions have been issued to play loud music after 10 pm?
“Around twenty permissions have been given to establishments to play music till 10 pm. I do not have the exact count but these twenty include five-star and other hotels around the place,” stated Police Inspector Paresh Naik, holding additional charge of Anjuna Police Station.
“Permission has been granted to play music till 10 pm,” insisted Naik.
There was uncertainty regarding permission being granted to the four-day party in Arambol, with the office of the Deputy Collector in Pernem maintaining that “no request to play music has been received from organisers”.
“We have to receive a request. The same is forwarded to the SP and the concerned police station for approval. Apart from what has been appearing on social media, we are in the dark,” stated a staff member from the Deputy Collector’s office on condition of anonymity.
“I have received a good response for today’s O Heraldo article. I really liked that ‘O Heraldo Asks’ It asks a very simple question but so powerful and makes you think,” summed up Dr Inacio Fernandes from Anjuna.
Knock- knock respected North Goa Collector (IAS)
North Goa Collector Dr Sneha Gitte did not respond to queries sent to her on WhatsApp on Sunday nor did she respond to phone calls. Nor did she reply to the query: Can you please let us know to whom and how many permissions have been issued (to those who are advertising multi-day freedom parties) to play loud music after 10 pm?
