KOPPAL
CH News
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R. Hithendra has directed Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasiddi to implement urgent measures to safeguard foreign tourists in the district. This directive follows a memo from DG & IGP M.A. Saleem, in response to the Sanapur incident last year that saw a spate of violent crimes targeting visitors.
On March 6 this year, a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and her homestay host were sexually assaulted and robbed. On the same night, an Odia tourist drowned, and an American tourist along with a local resident were attacked near Sanapur Lake in Gangavathi taluk, about 25 km from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi.
The ADGP noted a significant rise in foreign tourist arrivals in recent years. In 2024 alone, 53,405 international tourists visited Koppal, making it Karnataka’s third most visited district by foreigners after Mysuru and Udupi. The increase is largely attributed to Hampi's global recognition.
The official communication flagged serious concerns: isolated terrain, limited police presence, poor roads, substandard accommodation, and over 100 unregistered resorts—many reportedly linked to local political and business interests. These conditions have made the area a hotspot for criminal activities, especially after nightfall.
Gangavathi Rural Police confirmed persistent issues, including drug-related crimes and suspicious deaths—some initially recorded as suicides, later found to be homicides. The recent sexual assault case was described as particularly disturbing.
SP Ram L. Arasiddi confirmed receiving the ADGP’s letter and said efforts are underway to compile a comprehensive report on steps taken to improve tourist safety. “We still have a week to submit the report,” he added.
Authorities are expected to increase patrolling, regulate resorts, and enhance surveillance in vulnerable zones to protect tourists and preserve the district’s growing reputation.