PANJIM: The government has swung into action and upped the ante on enforcement against potential grave irregularities in the conduct of trance parties in the build up to the New Year and in January with their suspected peripheral and surrogate linkages to the drug trade.
The topmost brass of the State’s bureaucracy has now asked the law enforcement agencies to ensure that there are no violations of any Act or rule by the organisers of the parties.
The District Collector (North Goa), Director General of Police and the Excise Commissioner have taken steps within their jurisdictions to act on various aspects of suspected illegalities that need monitoring.
The Chief Secretary, Dharmendra Sharma has been briefed and is aware of each of these actions.
Most of these actions are believed to be a direct response to Herald’s front page story, on the rampant trance parties with foreign DJs participating in them, taking place, even at undisclosed locations.
North Goa Collector, Nila Mohanan has issued an order to NYEX Beach Club, Anjuna not to hold any event in the premises as NGT Pune had also passed an order prohibiting any events at the venue without obtaining prior permission from the State authorities.
The Collector warned to penalise NYEX Beach Club under the criminal law if it is found holding any event in the premises.
In another development, Excise Commissioner Amit Satija instructed officers across the State to keep strict vigil over events and not to issue seasonal licences before getting approvals from the necessary authorities.
“It is directed that a proper check of all the events which are being organised or are planned to be organised in your jurisdiction, must be undertaken to ensure that there is no violation of the Goa Excise Duty Act 1964 and Rules by the organisers,” the circular issued on Wednesday reads.
The CS has asked the DGP to crack down on all parties that are announced without any locational details including those which are to be held in ‘secret locations’, on the coastal belt.
It is also reliably learnt that drug detecting equipment will soon be procured by Goa Police to curb drug sale at events on the coast. Funds will be sanctioned to the Goa Police and the equipment will be procured soon.
The DGP has also instructed the District Police and local police stations to comply with the law while dealing with night music party organisers. He specifically asked not to allow any music beyond 10 pm.
Herald in its Wednesday edition had exposed how rave parties are being organised go unchecked along the North Goa coast. Herald had also reported that foreign DJs arriving down in the State on tourist visas are actively participating in commercial activities in the night parties.
