Safety Concerns Rise After Assault on Tourists in Karnataka

In Karnataka, five individuals were attacked, including two foreign women, during a music concert. Three men were assaulted and pushed into a canal, with one still missing. The incident raises concerns over tourist safety and the local tourism industry’s future.

In Karnataka’s Koppal district, five individuals, including two foreign tourists, were attacked at a music concert early Friday morning. The victims included two women, one from Israel and another local, who were molested during the incident. Three men, identified as Daniel (23), Pankaj (43), and a local named D Boss, faced assault and were pushed into an irrigation canal.

The incident happened around 1 AM near Saanapur Kere and the Gangamma temple. While Daniel and Pankaj managed to escape the canal, D Boss remains missing. Koppal’s Superintendent of Police, Ram Arasidi, suggested D Boss might have been swept away due to the strong current. Rescue teams are working to locate him and sections of the canal are blocked to prevent further movement downstream.

The group had been staying at the Heart Line Happy Home Resort and attended the concert with a guide and resort staff member. Following the assault, the survivors were first treated at a local health center then transferred to a government hospital in Gangavati. Police Inspector Somashekar Juttal emphasized that incidents like these threaten tourism and tarnish the country’s international reputation.

In response, officials pledged to increase security at tourist venues, particularly those popular with foreigners. Although victims have not filed an official complaint, the investigation into the assault is ongoing as authorities work to address this troubling situation.

The incident in Koppal district underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures at tourist locations in India. The assault on tourists, particularly the molestation of women, poses a risk not only to individual safety but also detracts from the country’s reputation as a safe travel destination. Ongoing rescue and investigative efforts aim to resolve the immediate crisis and prevent future occurrences.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com