Tourists not safe in incredible India
(eTN) - Rising incidents of crimes against foreign tourists has pushed the Tourism Ministry to send a communication to all states asking them to speed up the process of creating a special tourist police force.
The urgency was highlighted by an incident in Mumbai earlier this week where a Latvian national was raped by a driver who offered her a lift.
The ministry had reminded the states to speed up the matter in June at the chief secretaries meet. Today, only 10 states have implemented the measure — the communication had first been sent last year — while the rest continue to drag their feet.
But even in those states that have deployed special tourist police, it is open to question whether this is merely a token measure or a genuine effort. Incidents have been reported from at least four of the 10 states — Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In September, two Japanese women were allegedly gangraped in Agra. In June, a South Korean tourist claimed she had been raped near Manali and in Alwar, Rajasthan, a German tourist said she had been raped by Biti Mohanty, the son of a top police official from Orissa.
These incidents dent India’s image as a safe tourist destination — despite the Incredible India campaign abroad — and
several prominent countries, including the US and the UK, have issued warnings in official travel advisories to their citizens who are bound for India. Other states where the step has been implemented are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka and Kerala.
In Goa, a big attraction for foreign travellers, several cases of rape, molestation and other crimes against tourists have been reported. Officials at the ministry pleaded inability to intervene directly, pointing out that law and order being a state subject, they could only urge the states to take adequate steps to protect the tourists.
"Whenever such incidents occur, we get a report on them from our regional tourist offices. There is also a complaints cell in our ministry where grievances of tourists are recorded and followed up for action. Besides, in our media campaigns we try to create awareness among those engaged in the tourism and travel trade as well as general public on the issue,” said a senior official.
The issue had also drawn the attention of a parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, headed by CPM leader Sitaram Yechury.
A report tabled last month said: "The committee notes with concern that incidents of cheating, fleecing criminal acts and harassment of foreign tourists bring a bad name to the country and have an adverse impact on the foreign tourist arrival.
The committee feels that the issue related with safety and security is vital in creating goodwill and the Union Ministry of Tourism cannot wash its hands off stating that policing is a state subject.”
hindustantimes.com
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Comments
I recently booked my clients for one month trip to India and there were so many incidents of cheating, fleecing criminal acts and harassment that took place during their visit inspite of booking with a reputable agency. The escorting drivers are the first ones that cheat on you they take you to the places where thay get kick backs, the guides collect money but do not take you to the place that you paid for. They waste a lot of your time and always blame their superiors and are demanding for good referance. The ayervedic resorts are also take you for a ride and provide you with a very inferior quality of treatment and not what you paid for. What they show on websites and send confirmation is not what they deliver it is total opposite. These all incidents were reported by my clients. The most devasting one was at the check in in Delhi the security people two guys scanned the bagage and found out that my clients had gold jewelary in their suitcase therefore, the broke the lock clip and took only the gold ornaments and left the silver they knew the exact location of the gold items. When my clients arrived back home they found out that the bag was broken into and that their gold was missing and they knew exactly how it was taken. I wish someone will report about these two guys that work at baggage security and scanning counter. I truly hope Tourism Authority will do something to safegard tourist.
IT IS TRUE,WHEN A TOURIST TO SAVE SOME MONEY DONT ENGAGE AREPUTED TRAVEL/TOUR OPERATOR AND LAND IN SOME HAND WHO IS NOT RECOGNISED OR TOUT AGENT.
IT IS SUGGESTED,THAT IF THEY BOOK THEIR TOUR BY SOME GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED AGENT,DULY APPROVED BY DIRECTOR OF TOURISM,THAN CHANCES OF THIS KIND OF CRIMES CAN BE REDUCED.
These cases clearly highlighted the importance of pre-arranged, pre-planned and escorted tour. No doubt, with the increasing stream of information in the internet, one can gather a lot of information about the country they are visiting. Most of the times, travellers thought that they can save some money by not engaging local travel agent, compromising their safety. Same things happen in many countries, not only in India. But when mishaps occur, tourism is the one who get the blame. Responsible tourism does not only apply to eco and environment, but also apply to travellers approach and behaviour. Be responsible to the environment, to the community and to our own self.
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