Despite these informal guidelines, there is no official regulation from government
Guwahati, a city where nightlife thrives and bars and clubs are the epicenters of evening entertainment, it seems bouncers have been granted the liberty to play by their own set of rules. Amidst a slew of violent incidents, one might wonder if there's any authority at all keeping an eye on these self-styled enforcers. Recent attacks on women have laid bare the lack of regulation, leaving citizens to question who, if any one, is responsible for overseeing these so-called protectors.
Amidst growing conflicts between guests and bouncers, it has come to light that there are no specific regulations governing the conduct and duties of bouncers in the city.
This lack of oversight raises a crucial question: Are there any government departments or authorities supervising these security personnel?
ALSO READ: E-rickshaws A Menace On Guwahati's NH 27
The issue came to the forefront on July 14 when two young women were allegedly beaten up by a bouncer at a bar in Ganeshguri. The incident was captured on camera, showing the victims being threatened and assaulted on the road. According to media reports, the women were dragged out of the bar and thrashed. The city police detained three individuals in connection with the incident.
One of the victims recounted her harrowing experience to the media: "There was a scuffle between the bouncers and some individuals outside the bar. I, along with a friend, came out to see what was happening. When I enquired about the fight, the bouncers confronted and attacked me. They also took away my belongings, including my mobile phone and a gold chain."
This incident is not isolated. On June 22, two women alleged that they were physically assaulted by bouncers at a city bar on GS Road. The police have registered a case against the management and staff of the bar based on a complaint of harassment and physical assault. The incident reportedly occurred around 12:30 a.m. on a Saturday.
According to a complaint filed by a local organisation, the two women, identified as Rekha Dutta, 37, from Zoo Road, and Sneha Dev, 22, from Khanapara, were assaulted by a group of male bouncers and security staff. The complaint states that a bouncer abruptly demanded they pay their dues and leave without providing a valid reason. When the women asked for an explanation, the situation escalated, leading to them being manhandled. Both women sustained multiple injuries to their faces and bodies, as evidenced by the photos attached to the complaint.
The victims claimed to have initially approached the Bhangagarh Police Station to file a complaint but were turned away by the officer on duty. They then reached out to a local organisation for assistance, which lodged a complaint on their behalf with the All Women Police Station at Panbazar.
A source from the police station confirmed to GPlus that the case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 341 (wrongful restraint), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 420 (cheating), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). "The case has been registered, and we are currently investigating the matter," the source told GPlus. However, the bar management was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.
Talking to GPlus, an official from a bar in Lokhra explained the hiring process for bouncers: "There are some agencies through which we hire bouncers, but there are no specific rules or criteria for them. They are hired for events and are paid accordingly. There are no standard operating procedures (SOPs) for them."
Talking to GPlus, a bouncer in Guwahati provided more insight into the expectations and training of bouncers: "They are hired based on their physique and experience. Bouncers have to arrive before 8:30 p.m., refrain from tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol while on duty, must be in uniform, and cannot talk rudely to guests. They are trained to be polite and to handle situations calmly if a fight occurs."
Despite these informal guidelines, there is no official regulation from government. A senior official from Excise department mentioned that their intervention is limited to cases where a crime has been committed. "We do not intervene unless someone is convicted of a crime. There are laws they shouldn't go against. But if they violate any terms of their license, those bars will have their licenses cancelled."
The lack of formal regulations and oversight for bouncers in Guwahati is concerning. Bouncers play a critical role in maintaining security at nightlife venues, yet their actions and conduct are not sufficiently monitored. This gap in regulation can lead to abuses of power and incidents of violence, as seen in the recent cases.
The nightlife in Guwahati is an integral part of the city's culture, attracting locals and tourists alike. However, the safety and security of patrons must be a priority. The recent incidents of violence involving bouncers underscore the necessity for government departments and authorities to step in and establish clear regulations and oversight mechanisms.
