PANJIM, AUG 28
With the objective of stopping suspicious persons from checking in hotels under fictitious names, the government has put additional responsibilities on hotels and guesthouses. Hitherto, without identification proof they would not be able to check-in any guest.
A notification to this effect has been issued by the District Collector, North Goa, Mihir Vardhan. The decision has come following reports received from the Superintendent of Police (North), Porvorim that due to the prevailing situation in the country and intelligence inputs regarding terrorist threats to Western Coast of India, anti-social elements with an intention of committing crime in Goa, stay in
Hotels with fictitious names and bogus residential//official address, telephone numbers. After the commission of crime, it becomes very difficult for the authorities to locate the culprit on the basis of available (wrong) information recorded in the Registers of Hotels//Guest Houses/Inns, the police said in its report to the Collector.
Referring to the Police report, the Collector has said that it is necessary that some checks are put on owners/management of all hotels, lodging and boarding, private guesthouses, paying guest accommodation of all religious bodies so that terrorists/anti-social elements in the guise of guests/visitors may not cause terrorism/anti-social activities.
In exercise of powers conferred on him under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the North Goa District Collector has ordered that that Owners/Management of all Hotels, Lodging and Boarding, Private Guesthouses, Paying Guest Accommodation of all religious bodies, should not allow any visitors/guests to check in without providing any photo Identity Proof such as Smart Card, Election Card, Employment Card, ATM Card or any other Photo Identity Card issued by the recognized authority and the Incharge of such accommodation should provide all such information for inspection to the Police Authority.
This order would remain in force till 18th October, the notification said adding that any person contravening the order would be punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is hereby passed ex-parte, the Collector said.
