Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
While the festival attracts lakhs of tourists as well as locals, it also brings bag full of controversies.
There have been several suspicious drug overdose deaths connected to the festival but surprisingly, the investigating agencies in Goa have not been able to reach a logical conclusion.
Of Course, WHERE THERE IS A WILL,THERE IS A WAY, but that does not seem to be the case with Goa Police on every given time.
Understandably, while the police hold the lathi, the power to wield remains in the hands of top brass or the bosses in corridors of power.
Like every year, the Goa police has announced this year too that the it has formed special teams to curb the use of narcotic drugs during New Year celebrations or the festivals like Sunburn. But how?
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Well it’s that time of the year again when Goa sees hordes of tourists, both domestic and international, descend in Goa to say a final goodbye to the year and welcome the new one.
Like every year, it is also time for year-end parties and one of the most prominent one ofr the last 17-odd years is the Sunburn Festival.
While the festival attracts lakhs of tourists as well as locals, it also brings bag full of controversies.
There have been several suspicious drug overdose deaths connected to the festival but surprisingly, the investigating agencies in Goa have not been able to reach a logical conclusion.
Of Course, WHERE THERE IS A WILL,THERE IS A WAY, but that does not seem to be the case with Goa Police on every given time.
Understandably, while the police hold the lathi, the power to wield remains in the hands of top brass or the bosses in corridors of power.
Like every year, the Goa police has announced this year too that the it has formed special teams to curb the use of narcotic drugs during New Year celebrations or the festivals like Sunburn. But how?
Lakhs of tourists have already descended in Goa and the chaos has already begun with frequent traffic jams on roads leading to popular tourist destibations in Goa, especially North Goa.
Superintendent of Police (North) Nidhin Valsan says the teams would be active across the coastal belt and also at locations like the Sunburn EDM festival venue, which will be held at Vagator in North Goa district from December 28 to 30.
He says special teams comprising personnel from local police, Crime Branch, Anti-Narcotic Cell and forensic experts have been formed for patrolling sensitive areas. He further goes on to say the teams will take action against drug peddling, consumption of drugs or even if someone is found under the influence of narcotics.
Spectrometers will be used for testing samples of seized drugs or suspicious substances and obtaining quick results, Valsan said.
The state police has launched the mobile rapid screening test system for finding out if someone has consumed drugs, and cases would be registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act if a person tests positive for drugs, the SP added.
Now all these measures seem to be great on paper but in reality – Is this possible?
Notably, most of the beat police already know who are the people who peddle drugs and infact many of the man in in uniform have become the informants for this drugs dealers.
The question here is not about Sunburn organisers being involved in these shady trade because it is humanely impossible for the organisers to keep a check on people coming with drugs at the party. But the reality is, the drugs trade continues unabated in Vagator, Anjuna and the police will have to keep a close watch on every individual entering or exiting the venue – which is the next to impossible.
The powers at the helm very well know that Goa Police do not have capabilities to check the drug trade at such venues or around it, yet they allow such festivals for the reasons best known o them.
More that the joy or entertainment, the festivals like Sunburn only bring a bad name to beautiful state of Goa.
