Travellers raise safety issues after rape dents state image

RANCHI: At a time when Jharkhand govt is trying hard to project this tribal heartland as an ideal tourist destination of the east, the horrific gang rape of a female Spanish national and assault of her husband in Dumka on Friday night, is set to dent its image as a "safe haven" for backpackers.
The 45-year-old survivor along with her husband was on nationwide bike tour and spent nights in camps during their halts across different states.
Although the local district administration told TOI that they weren't aware about their visit and that the local police had acted promptly by taking her to hospital, riding communities and travellers at large have questioned the worsening law-and-order situation in the state.
Seraikela Kharsawan-based tribal solo biker, Kanchan Ugursandi, known for travelling across the country, took to social media to lash out on the state govt. She said, "The riding community must raise its voice to unequivocally question the state govt. I feel ashamed that such a thing has happened in my home state." Hitting out further, she said she was approached by state tourism department to promote Jharkhand tourism through her bike ride programmes which she had rejected citing law and order.
In a video message on X, she said, "I don't feel safe riding alone in this state. Contrary to this, I rode entire northern India such as Ladakh, Himachal, etc but I never felt unsafe even in the dead of the night. There have been times when police spotted me late night and when I introduce myself, they share their numbers asking to keep handy in case of any exigency. That should how the policing should be."
Rajiv Tak, an avid cyclist and coordinator of Cycle Dost, conceded that such incidents put the entire state in bad light and hoped that the culprits are booked soon. His group regularly takes part in cycling trips both in state and outside.
"We have both male and female cyclists in our groups and we often choose routes and spots that are safe and move close to each other," he said.
Another biker, unwilling to be named, said even during the day, it is often unsafe for girls or couples to move around in certain pockets of Jharkhand. "I myself have faced problems many times during our trips," he said.