BENGALURU, 11 MARCH

In the wake of a tragic murder of a tourist from Odisha and the sexual assault of an Israeli tourist and a homestay owner in Koppal district on 6 March, the Karnataka government has announced new security guidelines for homestays, resorts, and hotels. The directive aims to enhance safety measures and ensure the protection of all guests, particularly foreign visitors.

Describing the Sanapur incident as "very sad and regrettable," the government underscored the necessity of adhering to these guidelines to avert similar occurrences. The order stipulates that homestays in tourist hotspots must implement adequate security protocols for all guests.

Importantly, the government has mandated that prior information and permission from the relevant police station must be obtained before taking tourists to remote or isolated areas. Homestay owners will be held accountable for any incidents that occur in such locations without prior approval from the police or forest department, facing legal consequences in cases of miscreant activities or wildlife encounters.

District authorities have been instructed to ensure compliance with these guidelines and to compile a list of site visit programmes for risk assessment and safety evaluation. As of now, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder case, which occurred after the homestay owner took the tourists to the banks of the Tungabhadra canal for stargazing when they were attacked by a bike-borne trio.