Panaji, Dec 16 — Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Sunday he
will ensure that the Sunburn 2012 music festival on the beaches of
Candolim in Goa remains free of drugs.
"There will be no smoking allowed at the festival venue. It is going
to be a smoke-free event, and the government will make sure it stays
that way," Parrikar said, adding that only an "in principle" nod has
been given to the organisers of Sunburn 2012.
Parrikar said police would be keeping a strict watch at the festival to ensure that the event stays drug-free.
"My government has already said that there will be zero tolerance to
drugs, crimes against women and children, and prostitution. We will keep
that promise," he said.
"If laws are violated and the officials concerned do not take action,
then I will take action against the officials," Parrikar said.
Smoking in public places under the anti-smoking law attracts a fine of Rs.100.
In 2010, Parrikar -- then an opposition leader -- had said that drugs
were openly sold at the music festival that year, a charge which the
organisers had categorically refuted.
Parrikar's accusation had come after a young woman from Bangalore
died at the music festival. A post-mortem examination report later
revealed that 23-year-old Meha Bahuguna had died of a drug overdose.
Parrikar added here Sunday that no formal permissions had been granted to the organisers for this year's festival yet.
Grammy Award winning DJ Paul Van Dyk, trance ace Sander Van Doorn,
Dutch DJ Fedde Le Grand, Grammy nominee Brian Transeau (BT), Latin house
legend Roger Sanchez along with DJs Richard Durand, Arnej and Dutch
duos W&W and Showtek are expected to perform at the festival,
which is now in its sixth year.
The three-day festival is scheduled to begin Dec 27.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments: