Karnataka Government Issues Guidelines for Homestay Owners After Wake-Up Call of Hampi Gang-Rape

Karnataka Government Issues Guidelines to Ensure Tourist Safety in Wake of Horrific Gang-Rape Incident

In the wake of a horrific gang-rape incident that left a trail of trauma and loss, the Karnataka government has issued a circular outlining guidelines for homestay and resort owners to ensure the safety of tourists in tourist destinations across the state. The move comes in the aftermath of the gruesome gang-rape of an Israeli female tourist and an Indian homestay owner near the Tungabhadra Left Canal in Gangavathi town, Koppal district, close to the UNESCO heritage site Hampi.

According to the circular, issued by S. R. Umashankar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, homestays must take necessary precautions to guarantee the safety of all tourists, including foreign nationals. The guidelines emphasize the importance of informing and obtaining prior permission from the jurisdictional police before taking tourists to remote or isolated locations. Should homestay owners fail to adhere to this rule and tourists are placed in harm’s way, the owners will be held responsible for any attacks by anti-social elements or wild animals. Legal consequences will also follow, as per the law, the circular warns.

The guidelines also instruct officials to review the itineraries of homestays and resorts to ensure that planned visits do not involve risky locations. Furthermore, they have been given one week to implement these measures and submit a report by March 18. The circular states that authorities have reported the incident, which occurred on March 6, where two foreign nationals and two Indian tourists were taken for stargazing after dinner by their homestay owner. The incident ended with a tragic loss of life, as one of the tourists from Odisha sadly drowned.

Reeling from this unconscionable act, the circular describes the incident as “deeply saddening and unfortunate.” It emphasizes that these guidelines are being issued to prevent such tragedies in the future. The police have already arrested all three accused in the case. The circular serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing tourist safety, and the Karnataka government’s swift action reflects its commitment to ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for visitors to the state. By enforcing these guidelines, the government aims to prevent similar incidents and maintain the reputation of the state as a successful tourist destination.

Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/03/11/hampi-gangrape-ktaka-govt-issues-guidelines-for-homestay-owners/
Category : NATIONAL,News Alert
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-03-11 18:22:00