In order to sensitise the police personnel deployed at various tourist destinations in Bastar with regard to police-tourist interface a three-day workshop was conducted in here from January 15 to 17.
Apart from Police personnel, the local volunteers had also been trained in the workshop with various soft skills like clear communication, positive body language, exchange of pleasantries with the visitors, concern for environment etc, officials informed.
While addressing the participants of the workshop during the inaugural session, Vivekanand, IG Bastar mentioned that tourists visiting Bastar should be given due respect and care, so that they carry back good memories about Bastar.
Sundarraj P., Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Bastar Range urged the police personnel and other volunteers to extend all possible assistance to the visitors, so that a positive perception could be created about Bastar region not only at national level but also in the international arena.
The outgoing Superintendent of Police of Bastar District, Sheikh Arif and the incumbent SP Bastar, D Shravan also briefed the participants about the need for attitudinal and behavioural changes while interacting with the tourists.
On January 17, during the concluding session of the three day workshop, a flash mob exercise was conducted in Chitrakot.
During the flash mob event named as BEST COP (Bastar Ensures Safe Tourism through Community Oriented Policing), uniformed police personnel made a sudden appearance amongst the tourists and danced to some mesmerising local tunes.
Few young tourists couldn't resist themselves and started dancing along with the Police personnel. Hundreds of other tourists gathered to witness the beautiful harmony between the police and the visitors at Chitrakot.
As part of the flash mob exercise, Sundarraj P., Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Bastar Range and D Shravan, Superintendent of Police, Bastar District appeared amongst the tourists and briefed them about the positive intents of the Bastar Police to promote a safe and vibrant tourism in Bastar.
To start with the tourism policing concept BEST COP would be implemented in Chitrakot Police outpost of Bastar District. later on it would be extended to other tourist destinations in Bastar region.