The New Year is almost a fortnight old, yet loud music is still being played every day, around the northern coastal belt, a fact that forced 24 aggrieved citizens from Anjuna and Vagator to submit a memorandum to Director General of Police (DGP) Jaspal Singh pleading for help.
“The DGP gave us a hearing and we will need to wait to see what he does because in the past we were assured (on noise pollution) by the SP, SDPO and PI and nothing happened. Loud music continues every day and it gets worse after 10 pm,” stated Desmond Alvares at the end of the 15-minute interaction with the DGP.
“The blatant noise pollution is continuing till today, and unchecked despite complaints to the police and other statutory authorities. There is complete violation of all the rules before and after 10 pm with all night parties under the watchful eyes of the Anjuna police, SDPO, SP, GSPCB and SDMs who are playing deaf and dumb,” states the memorandum.
“There is loud music played every single day since December 7 and despite informing the police and being assured action every time, I have to keep going to complain again and again. Please, can I not enjoy the last days of my life?” asks 60-year-old Lucianne from Anjuna, outside the DGP’s office.
The memorandum brings to the notice of the DGP that, “if one approaches the police they reply the licenses are given by Deputy Collector Mapusa, and the sound monitoring is done by GSPCB and if one approaches the SDMs Yashwini B and Gurudas Desai their reply is police are making the recommendations for loud music.”
“Is there a law that allows one to play loud music at 4 pm? My daughter cannot study in the evening and when I am leaving with her to school in the morning, loud music is still being played,” says Agnes D’Souza, hoping their visit to the DGP will be fruitful.
The DGP’s office allowed five from the 24 gathered to meet him and some of those present shared videos of loud music being played with the time displayed. “When the DGP saw the videos he asked us how do you all sleep?” added Agnes.
That rules are flagrantly violated was further highlighted in the memorandum: “As per clause 23 of the license not one single venue has installed the online noise level monitoring system and display board along the periphery of the compound.”
When the DGP saw the videos he asked us how do you all sleep?Agnes D’Souza
“The noise in Anjuna had started some years back but it was controlled when we complained. This time, the matter seems to have got completely out of hand with the new club owners don't care,” stated Pauline who wonders what damage the loud music is going to cause to her four-year-old nephew.
“Not one official from any department will pick up the phone to answer if a complaint is made before or after 10 pm. Some have even blocked the complainants, should it be safe to consider this as connivance of the top officials too,” reads the memorandum.
For Rita Ali from Vagator who runs a seasonal restaurant with her husband, “customers leave the restaurant because the music around is loud. Our metal roofs vibrate with the noise forcing our customers to leave.”
“Kindly note that if within the next 7 days no action is initiated, we will be constrained to approach the courts to address our grievances to file the FIRs against all authorities concerned,” concludes the memorandum.
“It is disgusting and sad that we need to come to meet the DGP for something that could be handled by the local police. The rules are very simple and easy to follow and implement. Something really sick is going on here,” laments 73-year-old Wayne Perreira.
The DGP has drawn out a specific road map on the issue, according to the five who had the opportunity to interact with Singh. “It is confidential for the moment,” said Alvares to those who could not meet with the DGP.