Plans to organise millennium party in Anjuna take ugly turn
By A Staff Repórter
PANAJI, Dec 22: Plans to organise a new millennium rave party for foreign tourists at Anjuna beach on the state government property have taken an ugly turn with pólice arresting six persons for breach of peace in Anjuna this morning.
Escorted by a team of 30 policemen, the tourism department began demolition of the “¡Ilegal structures” at Paraíso de Anjuna, which falls in its property. presently given on léase. However, the demolition squad aban-doned the work after receiving a phone cali from a top politician.
On the other hand a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mr Peter D’Souza, prayed for demolition of ¡Ilegal structures and restraining Mr Norman Azavedo and Mr Jeh Wadia frorr. holding the rave party in Anjuna in public interest.
Both, Mr Wadia and Mr Azavedo, have given an under-taking to the High Court saying that they will not carry out any constructions in the survey num-bers 212/1, 212/6 and 121/11, besides not to host, permit to host or use of any rave party or any other activities as mentioned in the PIL till the hearing on De-cember 23. Mr D’Souza also made the state of Goa, through the chief secretary, village panchayat, Anjuna, Directorate of Tourism, Town and Country Planning department, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Committee, Mr Azavedo and Mr Wadia as respondents in the petition.
The party was planned on over 70,000 sq. mts land and the petitioner said fhat the organisers had erected fencing aiong the property.
When reporters contacted the Chief Minister, Mr Francisco Sardinha, he said that he had stopped the demolition work in view of the matter being subjudice. He said the government would act as per the direction of the court.
The Director General of Pólice (DGP), Mr R S Sahaye, told reporters that six persons were arrestad in Anjuna for breach of peace there. He said the pólice had intensified patrolling along the coastal belt.
Replying to a question, Mr Sahaye said the cooperative ef-forts of all agencies involved in fighting the drug menace was
needed to fight the drugs, especially two state agencies, the tourism department and state excise department. Besides, Mr Sahaye also said the narcotics control bureau (NCB) and customs and central excise also would join in efforts to fight the drugs menace in Goa.
The Anjuna pólice when contacted said six persons, including one Mr Nesh Wadia had been arrested by the pólice and later released thern on bail. The pólice have registered cases under section 107 and 151 of the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, according to the information available the Tourism Department had given its property at Anjuna to Mr Azavedo on léase and that the léase period had expired on September 30. The industrialist, Mr J Wadia had hired the property for holding a new millennium party for 10 days, beginning from today.
The tourism-trade sources said nearly 30,000 to 35,000 foreign tourists were scheduled to particípate in the party during ten days. The trade sources also revealed that the massive publiciry was given to the party through internet.