‘Tourists come to have fun… no one should assault them’: Goa police warning to clubs

DSP Dalvi urged them not to take the law into their hands and inform the police in case of any untoward incident.

After the meeting, Dalvi told the media, “Recently, tourists were assaulted by the security personnel and so-called ‘bouncers’. We have issued a strict warning to restaurant and pub owners… that there is nothing called ‘bouncers’. They are security guards and they should behave like security guards. No one has the right to assault tourists or misbehave with them. If there is an accident involving a tourist and the tourist is found to be drunk, the police should be informed.”

He said the restaurants and clubs must ensure safe travel for patrons and ensure that the tourists are dropped safely to their respective place of residence in case they are inebriated.

“When tourists come to Goa for a holiday, they like to have fun. If they are drunk, then pub owners and restaurants should call a taxi for them, so they do not drive under the influence of alcohol. Their vehicles can be handed over to them the following day,” he said.

Dalvi further said, “The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Sunburn and New Year are approaching, and these are expected to bring more tourists. We should see that the tourists are not taken to task because they are coming to enjoy.”

On November 5, Anjuna police had arrested two bouncers of a club for allegedly assaulting two tourists after a dispute over the tourist’s car brushing against a parked scooter in a restaurant’s parking lot. The accused had also extorted Rs 50,000 from the tourists, after assaulting them, police had said.