‘Army of few’ in Tourist Police manning tourists in J&K

Jammu: While the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most favourite destinations for the visitors not only from Indian states but from across the World but lesser known fact is that ‘Army of few’ in Tourist Police—is manning the tourists visiting this scenic region to explore picturesque destinations.



A special police force called Tourist Police is posted at all important places frequented by tourists for providing assistance to tourists to prevent them from being cheated, harassed, etc.



In 2019, till the month of July, nearly 1.5 crore tourists visited to different parts of Jammu region including 77 lakh pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine and 32,985 foreigners to the Kashmir valley but the figure declined from August onwards after Centre Abrogated Article 370 and 35-A in Jammu and Kashmir and restrictions were imposed as precautionary measure.



In 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the tourist inflow also remained hit to Jammu and Kashmir likewise across the world.



Tourist Police is one of the basic and major components of Jammu and Kashmir Police taking care of complaints, concerns, facilities, guidance to the tourists but as per sources, just few caretakers constitute this important segment.



Official sources told ‘The News Now’ that there are a total eight Tourist Police Posts and one Police Station operating in Jammu and Kashmir which is being headed by the officer of Senior Superintendent rank stationed in Srinagar.



“One SP rank officer is stationed at Srinagar and has one Deputy Superintendent and one Inspector to assist the functioning,” official sources said.



They added that in Jammu, the police posts are established at Railway Station Jammu, Katra Town, Patnitop and Mansar whereas in Kashmir Valley, Police Station is established at Srinagar, while Police Posts are in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Banihal Railway Station.



“Jammu and Kashmir has so many tourist destinations and at least one police post each should be set up with every Development Authority under Tourism Department,” he said adding, “playing its role, the Tourist Police take care of various complaints of tourists like overcharging by cab operators, hoteliers, dry fruit, handlooms dealers, incidents of misbehave if any, guidance to tourists.”



“One Police Post is manning a larger area with limited manpower and the department in such a situation should go for more recruitment to strengthen this sector,” sources said.



Advising setting up more police posts, sources said that many destinations like Shiv Khori, Shahdara Sharief, Gulabgarh and others across the Union Territory, which are among favourites, should have a Tourist Police Post.



“Giving more teeth to Tourist Police will simultaneously help in reducing the burden of Executive Police already dealing with law and order, crime, security and other issues,” they added.



Sources also said that due to one Station House Officer posted in Srinagar, the complaints reported in Jammu Division are also being dealt by him, adding, “one officer of SHO rank in Tourist Police is must in Jammu Division particularly at Jammu Tawi Railway Station, the major hub for arrival/departure of tourists.”



“Often, the lower rung staff have to visit to Srinagar to lodged any FIR on a complaint,” they added and said that limited staff from top to bottom in hierarchy, are working in J&K Tourist Police and the manpower, with regard to the expected increase of tourists in future, is not worth to deal the rush.



Meanwhile official sources further said that the force is headed by a Superintendent of Police, designated as Deputy Director Tourism (Enforcement) and is stationed in the Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.



For safeguarding the interests of tourists visiting the State, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has enacted a special legislation called “J&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act” under which some officers of the Tourism Department have been vested with magisterial powers, including the power of compounding, in case of cheating, overcharging, harassment, pestering, touting, etc. faced by tourists.



Tourists are urged to contact the nearest tourism officer or the Deputy Director Tourism (Enforcement), with complaints, if any, or for solving problems faced by them.



As per official data as many as 4,99,584 tourists including 32,985 foreigners visited the Valley in 2019. It is 59.3 percent less compared to 2018 when 8,41,202 tourists including 56,029 foreigners visited.



While the Kashmir situation remained disturbed since 2016 after the elimination of poster boy Burhan Wani, the tourists inflow has increased manifold across Jammu division and in the year 2019, nearly 1.5 crore tourists visited different parts of the region.
Updated On 10/28/2020 11:09:35 AM