TNN
Feb 22, 2023
The mood was light but hearts soon turned heavy on Tuesday evening as foreigners at Arambol beach, decked in feathers and tulle, learned that their 'costume party' would not go as planned.
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The Russian Carnival is organised by foreigners of different nationalities who have made Arambol and Morjim their home over the last few years.
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The party, organised by some long-stay foreign tourists, at a private beach shack was paused as around 10 men in khaki stood outside the venue in stark contrast to the sequins and rainbow-coloured drapery.
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With the men in uniform showing no signs of moving, the organisers soon began removing the decorations installed outside the shack.
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However, the party was stopped even before it began when the main organiser, Zou Zou, was taken to the police station for questioning.
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"Zou Zou was on the dais posing with an acquaintance, but the police took him to the station. We had decided to have the party at a shack, because the authorities said no to a Carnival parade on the beach," said a Japanese tourist.
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Dressed in black and sporting a full face of dark make-up, tattoo artist Zula who was late to the party was shocked to hear it was a no-go.
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Even last year, amid the pandemic and Russian-Ukraine war, the Carnival parade was held with some participants making an appeal for a truce between the warring countries.
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Pernem PI Dattaram Raut told TOI that they stopped a Carnival parade which was organised without permission from the authorities.
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"Foreigners had dressed up in Carnival costumes and had come for a parade to Arambol beach. We have not stopped any costume party at any private shacks," said Dattaram Raut.
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