Police aid posts to be set up at all tourist centres

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police will coordinate with local bodies, various departments and tourism service providers to ensure a foolproof security cover in all tourism destinations across the state.

Issuing a detailed circular in this regard, DGP Loknath Behera has directed to establish police aid posts at all tourism centres before June 15. "Though Kerala is among the states in the country which pioneered establishment of tourism police, not all tourism centres here have been covered yet.If required, more police personnel from the district police forces will be deployed in tourism police wing after imparting them sufficient training," the DGP said in the circular.
More women police personnel, including new pass-outs, will also be deployed in the tourism police wing, Behera said in the circular.
The colour of tourism police uniform will be changed to khaki. At major tourism centres, which are frequented by foreign and domestic tourists from other states, the service of officials who can handle various languages like English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu will be ensured. During peak seasons, tourism police force will be further strengthened.
The coordinated security cover will have the participation of taxi and autorickshaw drivers and local community. The safety measures, however, should not disturb the privacy of tourists, the circular said. The security cameras, which have to be installed at tourism centres with the support of tourism department and local bodies, should safeguard tourists' privacy as well.
Hotels and other lodgings have to furnish the details of guests with police on a daily basis. The inspections inside the properties and investigations in case of criminal incidents have to be carried out without causing inconvenience to tourists, the circular said. The directions are applicable to ayurveda and yoga centres as well.
The station house officers (SHOs) have been directed to collect the details of anti-socials involved in drug peddling, prostitution and other criminal activities, closely observe them and take preventive actions. The police department will ask the tourism department to make uniforms and identity cards mandatory for street vendors and other authorized merchants.
The tourism police will also launch a mobile application, and take feedback from tourists for required changes in safety arrangements.