When a night-out turns into a nightmare

The scene, you may think, is from a movie. A crowded nightclub, packed with young people, dancing and making merry as the music plays on. And then it suddenly turns nasty as a fight erupts with youth brandishing weapons and even firing in the air in the ensuing melee. 

It may seem like Hollywood or a bad nightmare but it's happening right here, in popular nightclubs in Colombo.

Boisterous, badly behaved youth, often the offspring of wealthy businessmen and politicos and even adults who go around with an entourage of bodyguards are the root of many a rumpus at nightclubs, not only causing harm to people and property but also ruining the evening for many innocent folk. 

The increasing rate of such incidents has led to many people being wary of planning a night out. "We don't feel like going to nightclubs anymore," was a common comment from several young people who spoke to the Mirror Mgazine this week, voicing their disgust at the growing trend of violence in city night spots.

Nightclubs are frequented by those who want to let their hair down, listen to some music, have a drink and meet up with friends, but it seems that increasingly, there are others who come there with a different agenda.

The 31st night incident involving the son of a prominent politician at a hotel in Colombo was just one of the many fights that have erupted in public places in recent months. Violence is increasing, that nobody doubts, but why the management of such places does not take tough action against the offenders is the question being asked today. Is it because they do not want to risk offending this affluent and 'highly connected' section of their clientele?

The craze to frequent nightclubs and be at the 'happening place' among this set, just does not seem to stop there but extends to having a fight as well; a fight which is not restricted to fisticuffs but includes weapons. For those innocent bystanders who are out to have night of harmless fun, it can be a nightmare. 

Aruna** was an eye-witness to the 31st night incident. 

"There was a fight between two women and when I tried to stop it, a VIP's son came in with some bodyguards and I got hit. I went through one table and then the next table," Aruna said. "It was like a movie." 

"There was no security from the hotel trying to break up the fight," he added. 'After having paid so much of money for the 31st night, this is not what we expected. We were not part of the fight, but we got hit for no reason."

Aruna ended up at hospital for treatment and said he was bruised and in pain for a couple of days. Understandably aggrieved at having to start the New Year on such a violent note, he says that this type of thuggery should stop. 

Aruna did not make a complaint to the police as he feared the consequences. "I am an out-going person and the police are not going to give me any protection."

Meanwhile, Suren**, who used to be a regular visitor to nightclubs said that he and his friends don't feel like going out anymore. "We go to have some fun, but it makes us so uncomfortable when there are violent elements around and we have to watch every move we make." Hotel authorities should make sure that bodyguards of VIPs are not allowed to enter, he commented, citing them as often being the cause of trouble. 

According to Suren, there are businessmen who frequent nightclubs accompanied by a bevy of body guards, sometimes even as many as 10. "Just because they are high spenders, the hotels most often let them in," he said, adding that even the hotel 'bouncers' are most often on friendly terms with the bodyguards and therefore they are allowed in and a blind eye is turned to whatever they do. "There are times when you could see them standing on tables and chairs too, but who is going to stop them?"

Why this type of behaviour is on the increase is a question that just does not seem to have an answer. Most often it's VIPs and children of 'big wigs' who start the rumpus and then use the name of their parents to get away.

"I am so and so's son" is a common statement made and the night club staff too turn a blind eye not wanting to cause any umpleasantness. But most often such a lax attitude leads to innocent guests being placed in a hazardous position.

Prasanna**, another young man who enjoys visiting a nightclub agrees that the violence has to stop. "It's very scary. I am so scared even if I bang on anyone by accident," he says. 

He too feels that bodyguards should be banned from entering the clubs. "Most often they don't buy tickets," he adds. Prasanna's complaint was that while most hotels try to be strict about entrance requirements, when it's a 'big shot', the rules are relaxed. "They say they carry out body checks, but yet the weapons could be stashed away in their shoes, socks etc.," he points out.

"I have never been involved in a fight, but I am always on the lookout and try to steer clear away from the troublemakers," said Prasanna. "Since we go out often, we know whom we should look out for. Normally even if we are standing in one corner and they come towards us, we move to the next corner."

"I go out with my friends and generally try to stick to them," was what Sonali** had to say. Sonali goes clubbing quite frequently, but says that if she feels that someone is trying to get too chummy, she and her friends move away from the dance floor. "We have had guys trying to buy us drinks and sometimes even bodyguards trying to approach us on behalf of their bosses." 

"We very politely decline and hope that they would leave," she said, adding that they try not to frequent the same place, but go to different clubs.

"I don't want to go out to have fun and then get caught in a brawl," said James** who used to go to nightclubs on a regular basis, but has cut back his visits drastically. He feels that security at hotels should be improved and said that if the current trend towards violence kept increasing, ordinary people too might have to resort to buying a weapon through illegal means just to protect themselves. 

For the management of the nightclubs, dealing with the troublemakers is no easy business. Sati Watson who manages the Cascades at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi said that they do use metal detectors to prevent patrons taking weapons into the nightclub, but yet have to make allowances for certain people. "If it is 'somebody's' son they do have an upper hand and we have to be tactful about the way we handle the situation," Mr. Watson said.

According to him being tactful is better than using strong arm tactics. " But we ban people who are always involved in fights. We know those who will start a fight and we keep a close watch on them." He said although most people talk about guys getting into fights, there are certain women too who are always spoiling for a fight.

And in the wake of the 31st night shoot-out (not at their hotel), they have started carrying out body checks. 

Yasmine Cader, Marketing and Communications Director of the Hilton where the popular Blue Elephant nightclub is located said that they too carry out body checks and are very stringent about the rules and regulations. "We are very strict about the age, dress code and that guests should not come in alone."

She said that there have been no incidents at the Blue Elephant in the last three months. "When a fight breaks out at the club, we try to get our security to sort it out, but if that does not work we call in the police." 

Ms. Cader said although the security are always faced with threats, their main objective is to ensure the safety of the guests.

Meanwhile John Amaratunga, Minister of Interior said that he would summon a meeting shortly with Managers of night clubs and request them to carry out body checks.

But even though body checks might be carried out, the question that seems to hang in the air is how successful these checks will be. With most VIPs going in with an entourage of bodyguards, it seems hard for the hotels to be tough with them. One hotel manager said that if they placed 50 security personnel outside the hotel, the visitor too might bring 50 bodyguards. 

Yet while it is the responsibility of the law enforcement officials to bring the offenders to justice, the hotels too have a great responsibility to take stern action against such unruly behaviour and not let big names intimidate them. 

(** names have been changed on request)