Social activists and various organizations in Hampi and Hosapete have urged authorities to install CCTV cameras at several vulnerable locations within the historic heritage site. The demand follows the recent discovery of a decomposed body belonging to an unidentified woman near Sugreev Cave, which has sparked suspicions of a possible treasure-hunting attempt. The body was found by two foreign tourists who were trekking in the area, an incident that has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of visitors and activities in isolated parts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Representatives stated that caves, secluded monuments, and areas away from regular tourist routes remain vulnerable due to a lack of surveillance. They have called on the district administration, the Police Department, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to jointly identify these sensitive locations and install cameras to monitor suspicious movements. While activists suspect miscreants may use secluded spots for illegal activities like treasure hunting under cover of darkness, police are still investigating the circumstances, and allegations linking the death to treasure hunting have not yet been established.
The group also demanded increased night patrolling, the deployment of additional police personnel, and strict monitoring of individuals entering restricted areas. They emphasized that authorities must ensure tourists, particularly foreign visitors exploring lesser-known monuments and trekking routes, are not exposed to security risks.