Hampi police have filed a complaint against an unidentified tourist who appears to be climbing an ancient monument in the viral video which recently circulated on social media showing youths dancing on the Hemakuta hills and climbing the mantapa, a historic monument built in the 14th century.
A police investigation has been initiated based on the video evidence. Last week, tourists were observed drinking and partying at Hampi’s revered Purandara mantapa. More guards are now being requested by the residents as a precaution against such incidents.
Climbing on the monuments in Hampi is forbidden, according to the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) and the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority’s (HWHAMA) rules. The authorities have usually take the reel makers into custody.
T. Venkatesh, Deputy Commissioner of Vijayanagara, claimed that shortly after the occurrence, he traveled to Hampi and spoke with residents.
“I also learned that tourists violated the Purandara Mantapa’s laws by consuming alcohol there. I’ve told the police to examine how the young people danced on the monument. “All restrictions are scrupulously adhered to on the ground in the interest of heritage monuments because Hampi is a UNESCO and ASI-designated heritage hub,” he said.
Visitors should admire the beauty of monuments without touching or harming them. Breaking ASI rules is a serious offense. A number of locations in Hampi will have instruction signboards built to direct visitors. We’ll also take action to hire more security personnel, he continued.
A social activist named Prabhu Patil claimed that visitors to Hampi are breaking the law every single day. “On the ground, there are no rigid regulations imposed by the district government. More security guards are required. There are currently 100 security personnel on duty, and on weekends, the number of visitors approaches 5,000. The teenager who disobeyed the regulations must be taken into custody by the police ” he said.