Come To Goa : If You Want To Be Mercilessly Beaten By Locals; and Disposed Off Like A Napkin By Goa Police.
The murderous assault on two Bengaluru Tourists should work as an eye-opener for every Tourist, who wants to visit Goa without getting the ground situations right. You are OYO.
On the intervening night of 5th and 6th November 2023, 2 Tourists hailing from Bengaluru were brutally beaten, at the parking lot of famous restaurant “Thalassa”.
Their only fault was that, they dashed the scooter of one of the bouncers of the parking lot. One of the Tourists suffered from a ruptured ear-drum and both of them had to be admitted to Goa Medical College & Hospital for further treatment.
Thalassa, situated now at Siolim on Chapora riverfront is perhaps easily the most famous restaurant in entire North Goa, if not Goa. The restaurant which had it’s root at Vagator, shifted to Siolim, presumably due to lack of space at previous location.
A must-visit location for those who have the means, it is almost always crowded, and often requires prior booking, in advance. An ordinary 3 Course meal with drinks for two could easily cost Rs.3,000 per pax.
If Tourists are not safe at Thalassa Restaurant, then where they could be safe in Goa is a burning question?
Ironically, the security agency to which the bouncers belonged had been hired by the restaurant Thalassa, without checking the proper documents or antecedents or the credentials of the agency. After a check by Goa Police, they were found to be severely wanting in the case.
So now, it is between, just the Security Agencies and the bouncers who beat the tourists, almost murdering them; and the restaurant has clearly wiped it’s hand of the case, which is not surprising.
On 13th of March this year, just about 8 months back, there was another brutal attack on a Delhi based family at a resort at Anjuna. After a lot of public outrage on Social Media, the FIR was modified by Anjuna Police to put a charge of “Attempt of Murder” against the local culprits.
Later on the local residents of Anjuna started agitating against their arrest and a counter FIR was filed against the Delhi based family under pressure by Anjuna Police which was found severely reeking with nepotism, then.
But, as it shows in the case of Bengaluru based Tourists, nothing has changed in last 8 months in the behaviour, attitude and sensitivity of Goa Police towards the Tourists.
The Bengaluru based tourists, while deeply injured, where made to wait for more than half-a-day at the Siolim Outpost of Goa Police, before the cognisance of their complaint was taken by the IC Head-Constable.
Nothing has changed, the pattern remains the same for Goa Police. Unless the word breaks out and makes an uproar on Social Media, then only hands and legs of Goa Police start working.
What is laughable that at the very onset of Tourism Season, they could have shown some extra sensitivity to those Tourists, who come here, and keep Goa running; but acted in a highly insensitive and brazen manner, in contravention to human rights and dignity of an individual.
Goa Police has a very long list of TIPS for Tourists but surprisingly there are no Tips being given to the policemen of the Force, on how to deal with compassion and courtesy to a Tourist, who has been mindlessly assaulted in Goa, where the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister sing “Atithi Devo Bhava” first thing in the morning, even before having their morning cup of tea.
In this era of “Digital India”, it is a highly impossible task now, to find out the Contact Number of Police Stations, Police Outposts and the current incharge on the website of Goa Police, along with jurisdictions, to help an outsider tourists, be it domestic or foreign, to reach senior officers easily of the concerned Police Station quickly, in case their complaint is being snowballed deliberately due to corrupt policemen, like in the case of Siolim Assault.
If you are relaxing or strolling at Mandrem Beach which is heavily crowded during the season, if an untoward incident happens with you; finding the nearest Police Outpost is an excruciating task even for Google Maps. And, if a Tourist be it foreigner or local visits that Outpost, going by the entire experience she would have, she would swear in the name of Lord Almighty of her choice, to never return to Goa.
With barely 6,000 Policemen for the state, of which almost all are deployed in either Security duty of VVIP Visits, Bandobast for everyday gazillion events happening all round the year, at least a hundred of them are suspended at any given point of time or absconding from duty; “Safety First!" which going by common-sense should have been the motto of a State which is bankrupt and solely dependent on Tourists, have been made a mockery of.
But because, “Much Wants More” now coming are : Hinterland Tourism, Homestay and Caravan Tourism; much touted by crony publications of Government; who get such news first and foremost.
Now suppose you are relaxing in a Caravan at a naturally beautiful place in Goa, because it is a beautiful morning, you decide to take the advantage and go for a walk in hinterlands; 2 persons come and snatch your valuable belongings and run away; by the time you manage to get through Goa Police helpline; they would have merrily disappeared into the same hinterland.
Without a foolproof security apparatus, the haphazard launch of Caravan+Homestay+Hinterland Tourism is like living in a fool’s paradise, denying the reality of the day and implementing the policy of “Spray and Pray!”
When a Tourist is not safe at one of the most famous destination in Goa; surrounded by habitation and a Head Constable Goa Police acts like Prime Minister of India; how one would be safe, exploring the hinterland or sitting idly in a Caravan at an isolated space; is what every mindful Tourist should ponder, before even making such foolhardy decision.
Goa has almost lost it’s Apex position for Foreign tourists in India, except for Russians, because they are not liked anywhere and have no place else to go; and they very well know, that being in Goa, they could do anything.
Instead of acting on why this is happening and what could be improved, the foolish Ministers of Goa are now launching various Tourism concepts with Google Keyword Search.
This is neither prudent nor sustainable and it shall be evident in some coming years, but by then, it would be just too late. But, it won’t impact the ruling Politicians of Goa, because they have already amassed a wealth, which could last at least next 18 Generations of theirs; it would impact a “Omelette-Pav Seller”, a “Tender Coconut” seller etc.
A State which cannot provide Safety to Tourists, be it local or foreigner, has no rights to beckon more Tourists to come over to Goa, in order to be killed or to be brutally raped and even more brutally killed or almost murdered as in the case of Anjuna and Siolim assault.
If Tourists, both foreign and Domestic are not taking a wise decision with respect to where their want their vacation or holiday to be, by being critically informed of Ground Situation; then they are surely on their own; and later they should not complain.
Live here, stay by their rules, and get admitted to the mental asylum based on a fake report by a pilot. Get misdiagnosed as a schizophrenic, and live in fear of kejriwals paid henchmen threatening you evey second day.
Fuck you Goa!!!!