Team Goemkarponn
CALANGUTE: In the wake of a disturbing series of incidents involving violence against tourists at beach shacks in Calangute, Goa, a sixth individual has been arrested in connection with the latest assault on a group of visitors from Mumbai.
This development underscores the escalating concerns over tourist safety and the need for stringent measures to ensure the well-being of visitors to this popular tourist destination.
The latest incident occurred early on Friday morning when a group of tourists from Mumbai were allegedly assaulted by staff at a beach shack on Calangute beach. The confrontation began over a minor dispute with security guards outside the closed establishment, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
According to police reports, the disagreement started when the tourists were denied entry into the already closed shack, leading to a heated exchange with the security staff.
Police have arrested six individuals, including a panch member, security guards and waiters from Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, in connection with the assault. The injured tourist has been discharged from the hospital, and the police are currently investigating the circumstances and motives behind the incident. Superintendent of Police (SP) North Goa, Akshat Kaushal, confirmed the arrests and emphasized that the assault occurred over a petty issue when the shack was already closed.
This incident is the second reported assault involving tourists at Calangute within a week. Earlier, on New Year’s Day, a 28-year-old tourist from Andhra Pradesh, Bolla Ravi Teja, was killed after he and his friends were allegedly attacked by staff at another beach shack over a minor dispute regarding a food order past midnight. Four individuals, including the shack owner and his son, were arrested in connection with that case.
The repeated incidents of violence against tourists at the same shack have raised serious questions about safety and hospitality standards in Calangute. Local authorities are under increasing pressure to implement stricter measures to prevent such occurrences and ensure the safety of visitors.
In light of these incidents, SP Akshat Kaushal has appealed to shack owners to refrain from engaging in fights with tourists. The police are urging all stakeholders in the tourism industry to work together to maintain Goa’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
“The injured tourist has been discharged from the hospital. The assault occurred over a petty issue when the shack was already closed,” said SP North Goa Akshat Kaushal. “We are investigating the circumstances and motives behind the incident and are working to ensure such incidents do not recur.”
John Lobo, general secretary of the Shack Owners Welfare Society-Goa, expressed his sympathy for the bereaved family in the earlier incident and emphasized the need for better communication and conflict resolution skills among shack staff to avoid such incidents in the future.
These incidents highlight a broader issue of safety and hospitality in tourist destinations. The tourism industry in Goa is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment is crucial for its sustainability. The repeated violence at beach shacks in Calangute has prompted calls for more stringent regulations and better training for shack staff to handle disputes without resorting to violence.
