In a swift response to a complaint from Noida tourists, the Srinagar Tourist Police have taken decisive action against Shikara owners accused of overcharging on Dal Lake.
The incident occurred on Thursday when unknown Shikara riders allegedly charged exorbitant fares to tourists, sparking anger among visitors.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Tourist Police in Kashmir, S D Choudhary, revealed that upon receiving the complaint, they started investigation identifying the responsible parties.
He said, three Shikara owners were promptly identified as Mohd Ishaq Bhat, Gasif Altaf Chichoo, and Shahid Gudoo. An FIR (First Information Report) was registered under Section 32 (2) G of the TT Act, and the accused individuals were arrested.
The reaction from tourists and locals alike has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the swift and decisive action taken by the Tourist Police. Visitors in Srinagar see this as a clear message to those who seek to exploit the hospitality of Kashmir for personal gain.
Shahid Nazir, a local visitor, expressed his solidarity with non-local tourists who often fall victim to such exploitative practices. He emphasized that the action against these individuals sends a strong warning to anyone associated with the tourism industry.
The incident involved a group of tourists from Noida who were charged an astonishing ₹6,000 for a 90-minute Shikara ride, far exceeding the government-fixed rate of around ₹770, with an additional ₹300 per hour. The accused Shikara owners responsible for this overcharging have all been arrested.
SSP Tourist Police S D Choudhary reassured the visitors that strict legal action will be taken against any individuals found guilty of charging excessive to tourists. The Tourist Police are resolute in their commitment to ensuring a fair and hospitable experience for all visitors to the region, Choudhary added.
