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Lechers beware: Karnataka's tourist spots to be policed by protection squads

  • Karnataka government plans to install signboards warning tourists against ogling women visitors
  • The state tourism department plans on appointing tourist mitras to keep an eye on those trying to make female tourists uncomfortable
  • The government will make a list of the tourist places where the tourist mitras will be designated
Karnataka Lechers at tourist spots beware a squad to be formed for womens protection

Karnataka is one of the leading tourist spots in India. The state boasts of the scenic Western Ghats along with UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hampi and Pattadakkal. 

However, a major nuisance in these places are men who tend to stare and sometimes make inappropriate advances at them.

To tackle this menace, the state government plans to install signboards warning tourists against ogling women visitors.

Karnataka Lechers at tourist spots beware a squad to be formed for womens protection

A senior official in the state's tourism department said the government was thinking of empowering "tourist mitras" (friends of tourists) to keep an eye on those trying to make female tourists uncomfortable, reported The Telegraph.

"The only intention is to keep women safe as we have received several complaints about men staring at women," said the official.

The government will make a list of the tourist places where the tourist mitras will be designated.

However, it is not clear yet what action the tourist mitras would be empowered to take if they catch someone eyeing women since the officials do not want them to turn into another Anti-Romeo squad.

"We want to make the experience safe and decent for women who travel all the way to enjoy these locations," the official said, adding that many women travel alone these days. "We welcome the trend. Hence the tourism ministry wants to make every location safer for single women as well."

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