Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jul 9: South Goa SP Tikam Singh on Tuesday issued a stern warning to influencers and the general public, cautioning that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the ongoing prohibition on swimming, bathing, or entering natural water bodies such as waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, and lakes in South Goa.
The warning follows a directive issued by South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus, which came into force on May 23 and will remain effective for 60 days, unless officially withdrawn earlier. The order has been issued in light of repeated drowning incidents reported during the monsoon season at various scenic and hazardous spots frequented by tourists and locals alike.
SP Tikam Singh revealed that the police have already booked two individuals for violating the ban and emphasized that law enforcement will take action not only against influencers who flout the order but also those who get influenced by them and engage in similar risky behavior. “We have already cracked down on violators and registered two cases. Anyone found disobeying the Collector’s order will face strict legal consequences,” he said.
The Collector’s order invokes Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, warning that violators will be punished under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The order further authorizes the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Quepem to monitor violations, file FIRs, and initiate legal proceedings before the appropriate Judicial Magistrate.
To ensure enforcement, Police Inspectors and Mamlatdars have been directed to remain vigilant in their respective jurisdictions and implement the order stringently.
The police action and Collector's directive follow a letter from the Superintendent of Police, South Goa, highlighting the serious threat to life posed by natural water bodies during the monsoon, with many of these locations becoming deadly traps due to slippery terrain, high water flow, and poor visibility.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from venturing into any such water bodies, stressing that safety must be prioritized over social media popularity or recreational thrill during this hazardous season.