Cases filed against 3 tour guides

RAYAGADA: The Bissam Cuttack police have filed FIRs against three tourist guides of two travel agencies after a section of foreign tourists were found clicking members of Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Rayagada district, violating the State Government’s restrictions. Sources said 37 foreign tourists led by 11 tourist guides of eight tour operators from Puri and Bhubaneswar had visited the Chatikona weekly market at Bissam Cuttack. They had also reportedly taken pictures of the Bonda tribals in the market.Rayagada Collector Nitin B Jawale said the tour operators had taken foreign tourists to the local haat without permission. With an increasing concern about voyeuristic foreigners embarking on tribal safaris, the State Government on February 25 had imposed stringent rules for trips to areas inhabited by PVTGs which include the Bondas. The Collector said FIRs had been filed against the three guides working for  two tour operators.