Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Shack owners have accused local authorities of failing to act against unruly tourist behavior and blamed the tourists for instigating the recent violent confrontations between their workers and tourists along the Calangute-Candolim beach stretch.
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Following incidents in which tourists were reportedly assaulted by shack workers wielding wooden sticks, shack owners argue that such altercations are often a result of self-defence in the face of aggressive and intoxicated visitors.
Manuel Cardozo, president of the Goan Traditional Shacks Owners Association, stated, “No one wants to hit tourists unless they provoke you. The groups of male tourists come and instigate the fights. They provoke you so much. They become very aggressive after getting drunk. If the shack staff don’t defend themselves, then they’ll get killed.”
Cardozo described a pattern of behaviour where tourists arrive after the shacks have closed—typically after 11 pm—and demand food and drinks. When staff refuse, citing closing hours, the situation often turns confrontational. “They think in Goa ‘kuch bhi chalta hai’. When they are refused, the problems begin,” he said.
Shack owners claim that once a tourist is restrained from entering, a crowd of others often intervenes, escalating tensions further.
The violence reached a tragic point last week when one tourist died following a confrontation at a shack. In response, senior police officers held a meeting with shack owners, reiterating the message that taking matters into their own hands is unacceptable. Shack owners were instructed not to keep wooden sticks, known locally as sticks, and warned that police would conduct surprise checks to ensure compliance.
Despite these warnings, shack owners have expressed frustration with the police’s handling of the situation. They claim that local authorities are not receptive to their concerns or suggestions, particularly regarding the safety of shack workers and the impact of unruly tourists.
A group of shack owners voiced their dissatisfaction, saying, “The police keep telling us not to take the law into our own hands, but they never seem to respond when we call them about violent tourists. The tourism department seems more focused on promoting alcohol and casinos rather than protecting our businesses and workers.”
Shack owners also criticised the lack of action taken against tourists drinking openly on the beach. “Tourists should be fined for drinking in public areas, but instead, they’re simply told to stop. No one wants to stop tourists from coming, but they shouldn’t be allowed to behave like this,” they said.
Shack owners are calling for stricter enforcement of regulations, especially regarding alcohol consumption and late-night behaviour, to prevent further incidents and ensure a safer environment for both workers and visitors.
