When Police Becomes ‘Tourist Bondhu’

If you travel to the Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, then, don’t be surprised if you find police personnel coming up to you frequently to enquire about your well being.

It is all part of an initiative of Jalpaiguri Police, called ‘Tourist Bondhu’.

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A special squad of police personnel and civic volunteers has been formed to help the tourists visiting this region.

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Tourist Bondhu was flagged off on 24 December 2022, which is basically a squad of police personnel and civic volunteers with two and four-wheelers and a police.

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A dedicated mobile number has been assigned to receive any kind of complaint from tourists and it will be prominently displayed in the vehicles, along with a sticker of ‘Tourist Bondhu’.

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2013-batch IPS officer and SP of Jalpaiguri district, Biswajit Mahato said, “It is an initiative which provides additional assistance to the tourists. We have started mobile patrolling system at tourist spots."

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Talking about the public response to the initiative, Mahato said, “I have received an overwhelming response so far."

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