An FIR has been filed in Itanagar against four members of a tourist family from Gujarat for allegedly abusing and threatening workers at a resort in Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Aastha Patel, Dhruv Patel, Smita Patel and Devendra Kumar Patel, have been booked under BNS sections relating to assault or use of criminal force against a woman, obscene acts and criminal intimidation, besides provisions of the SC/ST Act.
The case was registered at the Anini Police Department after a video clip spread on social media, showing two people abusing and threatening workers at the resort they entered on February 18.
According to a police complaint filed by resort management, guests were informed upon arrival that food and alcoholic beverages from outside were not permitted on the premises, in keeping with standard hospitality policy.
However, on February 20, the family allegedly brought alcohol from outside and reacted aggressively when they were reminded of the rules.
The FIR alleges that Astha and Dhruv Patel used obscene and sexually degrading language against female employees, while Dhruv also attempted to physically assault one female employee. The accused also allegedly damaged the resort’s base display frame and threatened to discredit the property and shut it down using “influential communications.”
The resort’s managing director, Rezina Miho, said she intervened after being informed of the incident, adding that the district tourism official was present and efforts were made to resolve the matter amicably.
“We tried to speak politely, but they continued to get angry. Our young employees, many of them from the interior, were shaken by the incident,” she said, stressing that the resort welcomes all tourists but that she could not ignore such behavior.
A senior police officer said that they only learned about the incident after the video went viral on social media.
The officer said: “We sent policemen to check the matter. The accused left on the morning of February 21.”
He added that attempts were made to contact the accused, but they did not respond.
Meanwhile, the Anini-based Biodiversity and Tourism Management Association has strongly condemned the incident.
She expressed dismay at the intimidation of local staff, describing it as inconsistent with the responsible tourism principles of respect and dignity.
The association expressed its solidarity with the victims and urged the authorities to conduct a fair and prompt investigation and procedures.
“Tourism must connect cultures and advance sustainable development without compromising community safety and well-being,” BTMS stated, underscoring Anini’s tradition of hospitality rooted in mutual respect.
She appealed to all stakeholders to uphold civility for Dibang Valley to remain a safe destination for all.
This article was generated from an automated news feed without any modifications to the text.
