Kochi, Nov 1 (ANI): As many as 130 tourists, who were detained on the Kalpeni Island of Lakshadweep Islands, were released after a ten hour long hostage crisis owing to permit and other issues.
The tourists hailed from North of India and returned to Kochi ship MV Kavarati on Monday afternoon.
Most of them, particularly, ladies and small kids had a very bad time on the island.
The tourists were on a package tour of the islands booked by the Lakshadweep Government's tourism department when they were detained.
Though local residents provided food and other materials to the detained the facilities were still limited and the situation worsened further due to heavy downpour in the area.
"It is still not known why the tourists were detained," said Col.N.K. Yadav, one of the tourists.
A tourist from Jalahandar said he had been refused permission to get his medicines from the ship. Not even women and kids were allowed to go to the ship and had to spend the entire night inside a small tent, sitting on chairs and tables.
The situation was resolved only after intervention from the state governments and political leaders.
The Lakshadweep government has taken stern action against the people responsible for detaining the tourists. Over 25 persons have been arrested and three senior officials suspended.
The tourists have prepared a draft complaint to be given to all the authorities and Home Minister in New Delhi.
Lakshdweep Islands attract hundreds of tourists each year, mainly for water sports. There are 36 small and big Islands of which only 11 are inhabited. By Juhan Samuel (ANI)
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