<p>Tourists on the outer premises of the Amba Vilas Palace, the must see place in the city, which attracts lakhs of visitors from India and abroad, are harassed and groped.<br /><br />Illegal vendors, who sell their ware on the narrow path from the parking lot to the Palace entrance (Varaha gate) are seen misbehaving with tourists. <br /><br />Tourists complain that even the police personnel deputed there turn a blind-eye to such misbehaviour. <br /><br />As per the authorities, only the police welfare canteen set up at the parking lot is legal. The remaining shops are, with the store owners encroaching the pavement. <br /><br />More than 40 shops, selling toys, clothes, eatables and other materials have come up with the connivance of local political leaders, claim authorities.<br /><br />The entire stretch becomes congested when there is heavy flow of visitors, during weekends and holidays, making it difficult for people to move around.<br /><br />Vendors and miscreants molest and grope girls, when the crowd swells. Even foreign tourists have experienced harassment, revealed a policeman.<br /><br />“We are not able to bring the situation under control. Shop vendors operate under the influence of political leaders,” added the policeman, expressing his inability to tackle the menace.<br /><br />The tourists don’t register complaints as they have tight schedules and the miscreants know about it, say police officials.<br /><br />Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director T S Subramanya said, despite several complaints from visitors, no action has been initiated.</p>.<p>“The Palace Board is helpless. Only the Police department and the District Adminstration can act on this issue,” he added.<br /><br />According to sources, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha and City Police Commissioner M A Saleem had visited the spot and walked on the narrow path to ascertain the situation.<br /><br />The vendors also charge exorbitant rates for their goods and sell duplicate items.</p>.<p> A nun, who had come from Kerala, was cheated when she bought Mysore Sandal Soap. <br /><br />The vendor gave her a pack of three duplicate soaps and charged Rs 130, while the original pack costs Rs 172.<br /><br />Blame game<br /><br />Vendors instead say that they pay ‘mamul’ (money) to police and others. <br /><br />When Deccan Herald contacted Saleem, he said, since it was the Palace property, the Palace Board has to take action on clearing illegal shops. </p>.<p>“If required, police will provide security assistance to the Board to clear illegal shops,” he added.<br /></p>
<p>Tourists on the outer premises of the Amba Vilas Palace, the must see place in the city, which attracts lakhs of visitors from India and abroad, are harassed and groped.<br /><br />Illegal vendors, who sell their ware on the narrow path from the parking lot to the Palace entrance (Varaha gate) are seen misbehaving with tourists. <br /><br />Tourists complain that even the police personnel deputed there turn a blind-eye to such misbehaviour. <br /><br />As per the authorities, only the police welfare canteen set up at the parking lot is legal. The remaining shops are, with the store owners encroaching the pavement. <br /><br />More than 40 shops, selling toys, clothes, eatables and other materials have come up with the connivance of local political leaders, claim authorities.<br /><br />The entire stretch becomes congested when there is heavy flow of visitors, during weekends and holidays, making it difficult for people to move around.<br /><br />Vendors and miscreants molest and grope girls, when the crowd swells. Even foreign tourists have experienced harassment, revealed a policeman.<br /><br />“We are not able to bring the situation under control. Shop vendors operate under the influence of political leaders,” added the policeman, expressing his inability to tackle the menace.<br /><br />The tourists don’t register complaints as they have tight schedules and the miscreants know about it, say police officials.<br /><br />Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director T S Subramanya said, despite several complaints from visitors, no action has been initiated.</p>.<p>“The Palace Board is helpless. Only the Police department and the District Adminstration can act on this issue,” he added.<br /><br />According to sources, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha and City Police Commissioner M A Saleem had visited the spot and walked on the narrow path to ascertain the situation.<br /><br />The vendors also charge exorbitant rates for their goods and sell duplicate items.</p>.<p> A nun, who had come from Kerala, was cheated when she bought Mysore Sandal Soap. <br /><br />The vendor gave her a pack of three duplicate soaps and charged Rs 130, while the original pack costs Rs 172.<br /><br />Blame game<br /><br />Vendors instead say that they pay ‘mamul’ (money) to police and others. <br /><br />When Deccan Herald contacted Saleem, he said, since it was the Palace property, the Palace Board has to take action on clearing illegal shops. </p>.<p>“If required, police will provide security assistance to the Board to clear illegal shops,” he added.<br /></p>
