Coastal Calangute which has been the fulcrum of activity in the State and an attraction in Goa’s rich tapestry of tourism continues to witness a spate of violent incidents casting a shadow over the law and order in the area and the safety of tourists and locals. Barely three weeks after a horrific attack on two youths at Tito's Lane by armed bouncers, Monday midnight saw action at Umtavaddo with three touts being mercilessly beaten in full public view. CCTV footage showed a group of men assaulting them with wooden sticks, kicking, punching and even dragging one person onto the road. It was learnt that three other incidents of a similar nature happened the same night along the Calangute-Baga belt.
On Diwali day, a tourist, who was with his family, was assaulted in Calangute over a frivolous parking space dispute with local drivers joining hands. Earlier in October violence erupted between two gangs leaving four grievously injured. The same month saw locals attacking three veterinary doctors while in another incident a security guard was hit by youngsters. The spike in night brawls prompted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intensify patrolling with an induction of 20 per cent additional force on night patrolling. Clubs and restaurant owners were instructed to contact law enforcement if any issues arose, instead of taking matters into their own hands.
The continued incidents of violence expose the weaknesses in community safety and reflect poorly on patrolling. Such alarming bursts of violence highlight a pressing need for stronger deterrents because going by the recent cases, the failure to reign in rogues and those initiating assaults is obvious. The practicality of the 40 per cent night vigil staff is being tested and it is disappointing that insecurity continues to be a fear factor for tourists and locals alike. A midnight attack on the roads only suggests that the attackers were least concerned about policing, just as in the earlier cases.
Goa currently relies heavily on its tourism industry, and for starters, we haven't had a great start this year. Footfalls have not been very encouraging as data suggests. Hoteliers have been sceptical and stakeholders have expressed concerns over the "quality" of tourists coming in while the narrative was to gradually shift focus towards high-spending tourists. The weather too has not been favourable with winter playing hide-and-seek with off-seasonal showers.
Violence would be the last thing Goa would want in tourist-heavy areas, especially when the competition is high. Insecurity could force tourists to look at other peaceful yet entertaining places, and with destinations like Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan competing, Goa would have no option but to roll up its sleeves.
Violence cannot be tolerated if the slogan is 'Atithi Devo Bhava', and it is the bounden duty of the host State to provide that security for visitors. Goa is a party destination where alcohol, food, entertainment, and hospitality blend. Whether we like it or not, enforcement has a tough job at hand.
The bottom line is that the allure of Goa's tourism should not be overshadowed by fear and violence. A collaborative approach involving local authorities, businesses, and the community is paramount to restoring the area’s reputation as a safe and welcoming tourist destination. Vast sections of Goans have still not reconciled to the kind of tourists visiting the State. A sense of intolerance prevails leading to physical attacks. Under these circumstances, police could do well going beyond mere visibility and showing proactive engagement on the ground.
