Cops step up patrolling on beaches in Puri district
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Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the gang rape of a 20-year-old woman at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam on Sunday, Puri police have stepped up patrolling across beaches in the district. "The beach stretches in Puri town, Chandrabhaga-Konark and Astaranga have been put under enhanced surveillance," said SP (Puri) Vinit Agrawal.
The heightened security measures have coincided with the upcoming Rath Yatra, which is expected to attract lakhs of visitors to Puri.
"We have increased our presence by deploying additional patrol personnel on beaches throughout the district. Working with Puri Municipality, we have enhanced illumination," Agrawal told TOI.
He said that police stations have been instructed to increase foot patrolling in secluded areas during evening hours.
Police have taken the assistance of lifeguards and local communities to prevent beach-related crimes.
"Beach crime is not alarming. Stray incidents of theft and snatching are reported. We arrested some thieves recently," said an officer of Sea Beach police station.
"Areas near Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Sterling and Puri-Konark marine drive remain isolated, creating safety issues that require night-time foot patrolling.
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Previous incidents include tourist-targeted harassment, snatching and theft," said Srimanta Kumar Dash, president of India-Japan Friendship Centre, an organisation promoting Puri tourism.
Debasis Kumar, vice-president of Hotel Association of Puri, advised tourists against visiting isolated beaches after sunset.
"Puri beach is completely safe. It is always better to stroll and sit on beaches with people around," Kumar said, adding, "The Blue Flag beach is the most sought after due to various safety features."
Visitors have requested CCTV installation along the beach. "We do not find any surveillance cameras on the beach. Cameras these days are considered as security multiplier," said Krishna Banerjee, a tourist from Howrah.
Official sources said that in 2012, the district administration installed beach CCTV cameras. The devices were later removed following opposition from certain local groups concerned about privacy of bathers.
Previous attacks on foreign visitors in isolated beach areas in Puri have been reported. A Russian couple was assaulted on the beach near Chakratirtha Road on Dec 23, 2011, while a Czech tourist was attacked while walking with his wife and friend on May 17, 2010. On Jan 18, 2010, a 28-year-old Russian woman sustained injuries in a knife attack at a deserted section on Baliapanda beach.
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