PANJIM: Goa’s “clean tourism” image has taken another hit after a 21-year-old youth died during a party in Anjuna, exposing what could be a lethal cocktail of the State’s drug culture and a crippled emergency response system.
According to police, the incident occurred while the youth identified as Ishan Budgujar was attending a gathering with friends. During the party, his health suddenly deteriorated and he collapsed after showing signs of severe distress.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
His friends rushed him to nearby private hospitals in the Anjuna area seeking urgent medical attention. However, it is alleged that several private clinics refused to admit or treat him, citing the critical nature of his condition and possible legal complications. After losing crucial time, he was eventually taken to Asilo District Hospital, where doctors examined him and declared him brought dead.
Anjuna Police have registered a case of unnatural death. While a drug overdose is suspected, officials said the exact cause will be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination. The investigation is currently underway.
Meanwhile local legislators and MP have demanded a crackdown on the “club culture” and the easy availability of narcotics in the coastal belt.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “Appropriate action will be taken if the cause of death is related to any other substance or chemical, other than natural death. I have spoken to the in-charge Police Inspector with regards to the case. We want clean tourism and do not want our youth to die due to drug abuse,” he said.
Siolim legislator Delilah Lobo said, “I have asked the PI to investigate the case. If he has died due to causes other than natural causes then the source must be found out. The PI has to find out the source of the drugs from where he got them and see that it does not happen again in Goa.”
She said, “In Goa there is no club policy. People take licence for bar and restaurant and then convert it into clubs. In the neighbouring States there is a club policy wherein they adhere to sound rules. Most of the restaurants have turned into clubs.”
South Goa MP Capt Virato Fernandes said, “In our State, we are aware that specially in coastal belts drugs proliferate. You go to any place, and drugs are available. More dangerous is that these days we are getting news that outside schools and colleges you have lot of drugs. Drug peddlers are roaming around and targeting the children with cheap chocolates and whatever means and this is a dangerous sign.”
SHUT OUT AND LEFT TO DIE
- Ishan Budgujar, a 21-year-old from Indore, died after collapsing in distress at an Anjuna party
- Local private hospitals allegedly refused to treat him, citing “legal complications” and his critical state
- Crucial time was lost before he was eventually declared “brought dead” at Asilo District Hospital
- Police have filed a case of unnatural death; a drug overdose is the suspected cause
- Official cause of death is pending the results of a medical examination
“ Our State government has failed either because of the ignorance, incap ability, inefficiency or in connivance with those drug lords. That is why I raised the issue in the Parliament,” the MP added.
Amit Patkar, President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), has alleged a failure of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) following the death of a 21-year-old youth from Indore during a night party in Anjuna.
Condemning the incident, Patkar demanded that the post-mortem be conducted by a panel of doctors and that the report be made public to en sure transparency.
“ The responsibility ultimately lies with the Chief Minister. Whenever such incidents occur, assurances of action are given, but they fade away with time,” he said.
Stressing that the exact cause of death must be clearly established, he said, “We demand that the post-mortem of the youth be carried out by a panel of doctors. The cause of death must be ascertained.”
Slamming the decision to permit a techno music event featuring inter nationally renowned DJ Black Coffee in Anjuna on Good Friday, Patkar al leged that several concerned government officials were unavailable when contacted regarding permissions and raised doubts over the manner gov ernment clearances, including a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, had been obtained.
“Permitting the event a ‘18 Rs crore scam’, Patkar alleged that tickets were priced around Rs 2,000 each, with nearly 3,000 tickets reportedly sold for the event at Vagator.
He also highlighted concerns over administrative lapses and disregard for established protocols, stressing that authorities must remain sensitive to local sentiments when granting permissions for public events.
MLA Michael Lobo termed Patkar’s allegations as baseless and denied them.
He said, “The Goa government and the Deputy Collector did not grant the permit to hold the Black Coffee outdoor event. The NOC initially pro vided by the landowner was revoked due to Good Friday, and the Anjuna Police Station did not issue any approval.”
While Anjuna police declined to share details, sources indicated that the deceased was the son of a prominent figure from Madhya Pradesh. Some locals believe the incident prompted authorities to advise establishments to “tone down loud music” on Saturday.
The body was sent to Goa Medical College for post-mortem, though re sults were awaited at the time of reporting.
As night fell, tourists could be seen asking for directions to venues that might still be open. “It has never felt this uncertain or unsettling in Goa. This is not the Goa I know,” said Rolf from Surat.
Locals, meanwhile, blamed both organisers and authorities for the sit uation. “Had the panchayat, police, and the Deputy Collector’s office been stricter, tourists would not have had to face this mess,” said social activist Bablhm Malvankar.
