New Delhi (Sputnik) — In view of the increasing incidences of manhandling, molestation and even the physical abuse of tourists by touts and other criminals, India is planning to soon toughen its criminal laws, enforcing stricter punishment for the harassment of foreigners. The law would come into force from April 1, 2018, according to the Ministry of Culture.
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"We are exploring how we can bring the culture of touts to an end by bringing them under the ambit of serious offenses and organized crime so that they can be booked accordingly," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told the media. Touts are promoters who solicit local business establishments, who often approach tourists aggressively.
Tout culture and cheating of tourist in India is a major concern of the Government and we all including common man have to work together to see any tourist arriving here are safe and dont get cheated. Dr Mahesh Sharma
— Dibyendu Mondal (@dibyendumondal) February 15, 2018
Sharma said that his Ministry was working with the Home Ministry to bring harassment of tourists by touts and others under the purview of organized crime.
"First we will warn them, then we will identify them and then we will punish them," Mahesh Sharma added.
