Jury still out on nightlife in Kozhikode

Debate over Kozhikode's nightlife impact on crime rate and public nuisance sparks discussion among councillors.

The vibrant nightlife of Kozhikode became a topic of heated discussion among councillors in the Kozhikode Corporation Council meeting on Friday when one of the councillors cited it as the root cause of the rising crime rate in the beach region, and as a nuisance to the public.

Indian Union Muslim League councillor K. Moideen Koya, in a submission, pointed out that the crime rate in and around Kozhikode beach had increased three times in one year and alleged that the groups of youngsters who flocked to the beach past midnight were a disturbance to the public. He went on to say that drug abuse was rampant on the beach around this time and that the celebrations of youngsters with no care about the world around were causing a state of anarchy.

The submission led to quite an elaborate discussion. While some councillors agreed with Mr. Koya, he drew flak from many young councillors who questioned the veracity of his claims.

CPI(M) councillors Varun Bhasker and C.M. Jamsheer were unanimous in their opinion that nightlife was not the problem, but lack of surveillance was. “A buzzing nightlife is a symbol of the city growing. With the changing times, many of our youngsters work at night. Going out at midnight is very casual for them. We cannot shut down the city at 10 p.m. anymore,” Mr. Jamsheer said.

However, several councillors appealed to the Mayor to seek the help of the police to increase surveillance at night, especially on the beach. IUML councillor K. Ramlath highlighted the lack of proper lighting in some parts of the beach and sought immediate action.

The issue of nightlife popped up again as part of an item in the agenda seeking time restriction for wayside eateries along the Kovoor- Vellimadukunnu road. Local councillor T.K. Chandran had pointed out that the eateries working late at night resulted in a large number of people, especially youngsters from far and near, ‘lurking around them and creating problems for local residents’. Their celebrations on the road created disturbances, he said.

Mr. Chandran had suggested the closing time of these eateries as 10.30 p.m and for other eateries in the city as 11.30 p.m. However, the council did not find this suggestion just.