22 arrested for wrongful restraint of tourists in Lakshadweep

Those arrested are local inhabitants of Kalpeni and action has been taken against them wrongful restraint of the tourists and for causing obstruction of government servants on duty, Lakshadweep SP Ajay Kumar told PTI.

Three government officials have also been suspended for dereliction of duty.
About 40 tourists from Gujarat had left for Lakshadweep from Kochi on a four-day package on October 27. After reaching Kavratti, the headquarter island of Lakshadweep, they went to Kalpeni for a day-long trip. While on their way back, some members of the local population prevented them from taking a boat at the embarkation point to reach their ship M V Kavatti, anchored at sea.

A mob of nearly 300 people prevented the tourists to board the boat. Prohibitory orders were issued on October 29 at 10.30 pm and only after the locals dispersed at 2.30 am, the tourists could take the boat to reach the ship.

Kalpeni does not have facilities for night stay.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had called up Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, seeking his intervention in the matter.

Meanwhile, the tourists reached Kochi this evening.

Minal Dave, who undertook the tour with her husband Vinod Kantilal Patel, said that each of the 131 passengers had paid Rs 20,520 for the five days and four nights 'Samudra' package of the Lakshadweep administration. The package involved a trip to the three islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy.