St. Mary's Island: Jayanthi overlooks empty liquor bottles, collects shells

Udupi, March 29: It was a classic case of too little too late. Whatever be the reason, the beginning of inquiry into the alleged obscenities during the Spring Zouk music festival organized on the St Mary's Island has failed to evoke any confidence in the people of the Udupi district. A series of protests were held since the Festival, which was held from February 3 to 5, by a host of organizations condemning the permission given to the “rave party”. But, with Udupi going to the polls the investigation took a back seat.

A good 51 days after the festival, Regional Commissioner, Mysore, MV Jayanthi, on Wednesday visited St Mary's Island, to investigate the allegations of obscenities and perceived violation of law during the Spring Zouk festival, which was exclusively held for foreign tourists. She has continued the investigation on Thursday as well.

According to some people in Malpe, the investigation is just an eye wash and it is highly unlikely that the evidences would last for over 50 days. The festival hit the headlines for allegedly promoting free sex and consumption of liquor and narcotic substance. Interestingly the district administration had cleared up wastes and litter which could have provided some material evidence. Though the media had focused on the liquor bottles, syringes and used condoms being littered in the Island after the Spring Zouk. On Wednesday, when the media persons revisited the Island along with the Regional Commissioner, the administration had covered up the evidences with sand.

Regional Commissioner and her subordinate staff, during the visit to the Island, were seen busy picking shells and pebbles. Though hundreds of empty liquor bottles were stored in a shed there, neither Jayanthi nor Deputy Commissioner MT Reju, Superintendent of Police Boralingaiah who accompanied her bothered to inquire about that. As per law, liquor cannot be brought to the island or consumed.

In the Island, as and when their names were called by the Deputy Commissioner, CMC Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak, Circle Inspector of Police Girish, Excise Inspector Puttanna and a representative of the event organisers Santhosh made their statements before the Insvestigating Officer (Jayanthi).

According to Circle Inspector Police Girish, the police had screened every visitor to the Island, as they had a doubt if they carried narcotic materials. But nothing was found in their possession. He said he had visited the Island on the first day of the music festival.

City Municipal Council Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak said music festival was on when he visited the venue the next day and he did not find anything wrong.

Excise Ispector Puttanna said that the organisers of the party had brought the indent for the sale of liquor in the Island for three days and they had approved it. They had deputed force to see to it that there would be no illegal sale of liquor.

Santhosh, a representative of the organizers, said he had made arrangements as per the instructions of his higher ups.

Deputy Commissioner MT Reju told press persons later that the district administration co-hosted the music festival, as the organisers had already got the permission from the Department of Tourism, Bangalore. The organisers had agreed to pay Rs 5 lakh from the profit, they earned. “They did not pay the money saying the event was economically not viable,” he added.

The Regional Commissioner, later at the DC's Office Manipal, also heard over 10 people, including District Mahila Congress President Veronica Carnelio. Ms. Carnelio urged the Regional Commissioner to take stern action against the culprits based on the press and News Channel reports with pictures and videos of sex and drug abuse.

As directed by Ms. Jayanthi, she submitted the video and still images of the event on Thursday. Ms. Jayanthi continued her investigation on Thursday morning at the DC office and was huddled with the officials of the district administration during the forenoon. The public did not turn up for the hearing as none of the locals could visit the island on the festival days. "How can we go and depose before the commissioner. What evidence do we have?," said a social activist, who was in the forefront of the agitation demanding action against the organisor's of the party.