Tourist-friendly atmosphere still a far cry in Amritsar

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Amritsar, April 12

Though the government has developed many tourist places to attract visitors from India and around the globe, a tourist-friendly atmosphere is still a far cry.

A day after a youth was harassed by an ASI of the Government Railway Police (GRP), who allegedly snatched his mobile and later demanded bribe to release it, the police on Monday registered a case in a March 29 incident, wherein a tourist from Gurgaon fell prey to bike-borne snatchers, who was robbed of her expensive iPhone.

The victim identified as Subhan Bano Khan, a resident of Gurgaon, had come to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple with her mother and brother. Though the incident occurred on March 29, a complaint was lodged with the police on Monday only. She was travelling on an e-rickshaw when the incident took place.

In her complaint to the police, she alleged that they were in an e-rickshaw and checking the train schedule on her mobile phone for her return. She said as they reached near the Mall Mandi area, two unidentified persons on a bike snatched her iPhone-11 and fled away.

ASI Gurjinder Singh, Investigating Officer, said the victim lodged a complaint only on Monday while the incident happened around two weeks ago. He said investigations were on to identify the suspects.

Over a month ago, the traffic police had categorically instructed the cops that no tourist should be harassed after stopping their vehicle for checking. The initiative was taken to make the police tourist-friendly. “If any tourist was found flouting traffic norms, cops should make them realise their mistakes and properly guide them after informing about traffic rules,” the police officials had said.

Meanwhile, two unidentified motorcycle-borne persons snatched the mobile phone from a local resident identified as Alok Singh, who was returning home after procuring vegetables from Putlighar market. He said he took out his mobile for checking messages, when unidentified bikers snatched his mobile. The police have registered a case.

In another instance, Lovepreet Singh of Varpal village told the police that two unidentified bikers snatched the gold chain of his wife, when they were returning home after paying obeisance at a shrine.

Instructions for cops

Over a month ago, the traffic police had categorically instructed cops that no tourist should be harassed after stopping their vehicle for checking. The initiative was taken to make the police tourist-friendly. “If any tourist is found flouting traffic norms, cops should make them realise their mistake and properly guide them after informing about the traffic rules,” the police officials had said.