Over the weekend, Lonavla police took action against 17 tourists across three separate incidents for flouting guidelines and causing disturbance, amidst heightened safety concerns following recent tragedies.
The Pune district administration had issued stringent guidelines under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, particularly targeting popular tourist spots such as Bhushi dam, forts, monuments, dams, Tiger Point, and Lion Point. These guidelines prohibited entry between 6 pm and 6 am from July 2 to August 31, aimed at ensuring visitor safety.
In the first incident on Saturday evening at Tiger Point, police booked Jitendra Wakale (37) from Panvel, Sagar Wakale (34) from Bhiwandi Thane, Ankush Wakale (43) from Bhiwandi Thane, Hemant Dhasal (33) from Byculla, and Kiran Sonawane (33) from Koliwada Thane for violating these restrictions and causing a disturbance.
Subsequently, on Sunday, another 12 tourists faced charges in two separate cases for venturing into restricted and risky areas near Ghubad Talab and a waterfall behind Sahara bridge.
Kishor Dhumal, Police Inspector at Lonavla Rural police station, emphasized the importance of these guidelines following a tragic incident where five members of a family drowned in Bhushi dam. He stated, “Despite police presence and clear guidelines, some tourists continued to disregard safety measures, leading to their legal consequences.”
The offenders have been booked under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaay Sanhita 2023 for violating public safety directives. The incidents underscore the ongoing challenge faced by authorities in managing tourist influx and ensuring compliance with safety protocols during the tourist season.
Sources By Agencies
