
Gang rape at beach throws spotlight on tourist police cell infra, staff shortage
2
3
Bhubaneswar: The gang rape of a 20-year-old college student on a beach in Ganjam district on Sunday has raised questions about the effectiveness of tourist police cells in ensuring safety of visitors.
Eight tourist police cells were set up in 2015 in various locations — three in Bhubaneswar (at Lingaraj, Dhauli and Nandankanan police stations), three in Puri (at Sea Beach, Konark and Brahmagiri police stations), and one each at Gopalpur and Chandipur police stations. The cells are facing challenges in effective functioning due to inadequate infrastructure and staff shortage, operating with existing police station personnel.
"While each cell has a sanctioned strength of at least a sub-inspector, an assistant SI and six constables, they are running with half the number. Even though they are supposed to deal with tourist related matters, these personnel are being engaged in routine policing job," said a police officer, requesting anonymity.
The cells largely handle complaints about theft and robbery of tourist belongings, with additional reports of tourist harassment in Puri and Bhubaneswar.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Tourism secretary Balwant Singh told TOI, "We previously sent a proposal to the home department, requesting to strengthen the existing tourist police cells with adequate manpower and other infrastructure. We will again pursue the matter."
Sources in the home department said the tourist police cells will be strengthened soon. "Recruitment plans are under consideration of the govt," a home department official said.
Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio, emphasised tourist safety is a priority. "I have already spoken with state police to enhance the safety measures at tourist destinations," Parida said.
The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) had prepared a 'Tourist Police Scheme' report in 2022, advising states to develop standard operating procedures, implement training for 'tourist cops', and establish uniform guidelines.
"We will conduct security audits and training programmes for tourism stakeholders. Proposals will be sent to local administrations to improve lighting systems and install CCTV cameras at popular tourist destinations. We will also improve police visibility and surveillance," a senior police officer said.
Police said the state witnesses minimal tourist-related crime. "Molestation of a Swedish woman near Lingaraj Temple in 2024 was the lone case against a foreigner reported in the state in the last four years. The case ended in conviction of the accused within three weeks. The number of offences involving theft and snatching of articles of domestic tourists is minimal," the police officer said.
The state received about 1.09 crore domestic and 53,392 foreign tourists in 2024, with Puri, Konark and Chilika lake the key attractions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Odisha horror: Two separate rape cases of minor girls lodged in Malkangiri; rape victim delivers stillborn
NEW DELHI: Two separate rape cases have been reported from Odisha's Malkangiri district, with police confirming the arrest of two persons. In one of the cases, the survivor delivered a stillborn baby, according to PTI. According to Additional SP Rashmiranjan Senapati, the first incident occurred on July 20 in a village under Orkel police station. A 50-year-old man allegedly offered a girl a lift while she was on her way to her uncle's house and instead took her to a forested area where he raped her. The survivor informed her family the following day. After villagers failed to act, her uncle filed a police complaint on Saturday. 'As the villagers could not take any action, I took the matter to the police,' he said in the complaint. The accused was arrested the next day, police confirmed. The second incident was reported from the Mudulipada police station area. According to police, the survivor had allegedly been raped since 2024. The case surfaced after she gave birth to a stillborn baby at a government hospital. Following a complaint by her family, the accused was arrested. Earlier on July 20, another shocking case emerged from the district where a girl was gang-raped twice within hours first by three men and later by a truck driver who found her in distress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Expense Of Toothbringing For The Elderly Could Blow You Off Dental Implant | Search ADS Search Now Undo All four accused were arrested. The recent wave of crimes against women in Odisha has raised questions over law and order under the BJP-led government, which completed one year in office. The BJP, however, has claimed that swift action has been taken whenever such incidents have come to light. (The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Video: Man screams 'going to bomb the plane' mid-air, gets arrested in Scotland
A shocking mid-air drama unfolded on an EasyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow after a man began shouting threats, sparking panic among passengers. A viral video from the flight shows a man yelling, "I am going to bomb the plane." He was also heard shouting "Death to America, death to Trump ," and "Allahu Akbar", which means "God is Great" in Arabic. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category others Technology Product Management Data Analytics Public Policy MBA Operations Management Healthcare Digital Marketing Leadership Data Science Finance MCA PGDM Others Artificial Intelligence Project Management Management CXO healthcare Design Thinking Cybersecurity Degree Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details Passengers were visibly shaken, and one courageous man stepped in to tackle the suspect to the floor, pinning him down until the flight landed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Philippines: Jewelry On Sale For Half Price (See Price List) Jewelry | Search Ads Learn More Undo — RT_com (@RT_com) As soon as the plane landed in Glasgow, Scottish police boarded the aircraft and arrested the man, a 41-year-old who remains in custody. Live Events "Officers boarded the plane on its arrival and a 41-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody. Enquiries are continuing," Police Scotland said in a statement. EasyJet released a statement saying the 'safety of the flight and other customers was not compromised at any time.' The airline also thanked the crew and passengers for handling the situation calmly. Interestingly, US President Donald Trump is currently in Scotland. He's there for official talks and recently announced a breakthrough deal with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to end a tariff dispute and prevent a trade war. While the man's rant mentioned Trump, there is no confirmed link between the outburst and the President's visit.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh: Stampede-like scare at Barabanki temple during Jalabhisheka; Several injured
A stampede-like situation broke out at the Ausaneshwar temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, during Jalabhisheka on Monday, leaving several devotees injured. According to District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, the chaos began when a monkey jumped onto an electric wire, causing it to fall on a shed. This led to an electric current running through the structure where devotees had gathered to offer prayers. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance Others Digital Marketing Healthcare Operations Management Leadership MCA Artificial Intelligence healthcare Management Data Science Project Management PGDM Product Management Design Thinking CXO Public Policy Data Science Data Analytics Cybersecurity MBA Degree others Technology Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details — PTI_News (@PTI_News) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo "Medical treatment of the injured is underway. Around 19 people were hurt, and two of them are in serious condition," Tripathi said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Live Events He directed officials to immediately reach the spot and speed up the relief work. The Chief Minister also instructed that the injured receive proper medical treatment, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed.