AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR: After a rap from the High Court at Goa, the Goa State Pollution Control Board sealed House of Chapora and Salud, two controversial noise-making clubs (referred to as “units”) on Friday.
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However, other units, are showing no letup in playing music well into the next morning.
With the Government deciding to extend the time of use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and midnight from November 21 to November 26, 2024, and from December 24 to 26 and on December 31, 2024, Anjuna and Vagator saw most units playing music well into dawn.
“I hope this is not going to be another horrendous evening. We really do not understand the logic of relaxing the time to play music till midnight, at this time of the year. It has never happened before,” said Brigid Fernandes from Vagator.
The streets of Anjuna and Vagator were teeming on Saturday and as the sun set, music could be heard silencing the sound of traffic snarls at various junctions. It looked like party time with no restrictions.
A look at a WhatsApp message crying out for help form the authorities was viewed by O Heraldo.
“All night parties were going on everywhere in Anjuna at Dynamo, Romeo Lane, Noah, Slique, Thalasa by the Cliff, Titlee, Nine bar, Papi Chulo, Diaz, House of Chapora… very loud music at Summer House, Thalasa and Zohra Club, Kiki ByTthe Sea and Motoverse. Calls to PCR had no effect on Anjuna police; they are playing games with us. Please help,” was part of a Whatsapp interaction between Contempt of Court petitioner Desmond Alvares and Deputy Collector Kabir Shirgaonkar shared with O Heraldo.
The Goa Bench of the High Court at Goa had on its hearing dated November 21, 2024, decided to take action against Salud and Hill Top. On Friday evening, along with house of Chapora, Salud was also sealed.
“There were some officers who came in a vehicle at 8 pm. At around nine, they walked in and in a few minutes all the customers started coming out and they later sealed the place. I do not why,” said the security guard outside Salud.
Though it has not been officially confirmed why both the places were sealed, GSPCB secretary Shamila Monteiro refused to respond to calls after having attended the first one and disconnecting.
