Herald: Why was the GOAT Festival in Pernem shut down ahead of its three-day launch of its second edition?
Chander: This festival was actively giving publicity (about its party) on social media saying it would be held at a secret location (much ahead of its commencement). What is this concept of secret location? If you (event organisers) have good intention, its details should be made public. The festival organisers did not have all the required permissions, which is why it did make the location public. You cannot play hide and seek with the police. We managed to track down the venue and crack down. I am also informed that one of those playing music at the event was arrested in a drugs case. We will not allow such nuisance to happen in Goa. If there is substantive violation of law by this event organiser, during our inquiry, we will not hesitate taking strictest action…
Herald: Why does Goa police find it so difficult to stop this trend of parties and loud music?
Chander: Goa police is against illegal, unsanctioned and secretly- held events. If the event details are not being revealed, then prima facie they have bad intention and we won’t allow such suspicious parties to happen in Goa. In addition to that, any permitted music party has to stop the music sharp at 10 pm. No one can take law in their hand and we will not allow it to happen. We are constantly monitoring the social media to crack such parties in the coastal belt.
Herald: There have been allegations that constabulary-level force – although not all – are hand in glove with illegal party hosts. Is the department aware? If yes, what is the action taken?
Chander: Give me the names, I will take strict action. Don’t go by the past, you give me a call and give information of any party or event where music is being played beyond 10 pm and I will see that it is stopped. I am sending different teams to cross verify whether the music is stopped or not. I do send officers in civil clothes also from different jurisdiction to find out the ground reality of the music and to check the action taken by concerned police.
