The Centre on Thursday urged the State Governments and Union Territories to create a cadre of tourist police to provide security to the tourists and instill a sense of assurance in them.
Referring to the recent Bodh Gaya bombings and incidents of assault on women tourists which damaged India’s image, Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said, “Inspite of our best efforts, such incidents occur, we must take immediate action to bring the culprits to the book and ensure speedy court trials. While doing so, we must show our sensitivity towards the feelings of the victim and respect their dignity and privacy.”
“It is not only important that we provide security to the tourists but it is also important that we must instill a sense of confidence in them,” he added. Chiranjeevi was speaking at the day-long National Conference of State Tourism Ministers held. Asserting that the tourist police can be deployed visibly in places where such incidents can happen, Chiranjeevi said this can be done either by borrowing some companies from the Police department or hiring ex-servicemen or home guards.