Issuing a public notice on Thursday, Kaski District Administration Office (DAO) ordered hotels in Pokhara to compulsorily keep records of guests including personal identity details. The DAO has warned hotels of legal action if they are found providing hotel rooms without registering personal information about the guests.[break]
The notice came after the hotels reportedly become dens for illicit activity, informed the DAO.
According to Yadav Prasad Koirala, the chief district officer, the DAO issued the notice to discourage illicit activities and bolster peace and security.
Over the last few days, police nabbed 86 individuals engaged in illicit activities at different hotels in Pokhara. Of those arrested, 50 were females. According to police, they have been charged under the public offence act.
Hari Sharma, president of Western Regional Hotel Association, said the association has been urging hotels to provide guests rooms only after recording their personal information. He also said the DAO´s recent move will not hinder the tourism business but rather give out a positive message.
“Apart from filling up entry forms, we even check the passports of third-country visitors,” informed Sharma.
He also said that hotel entrepreneurs ask customers coming from India for their IDs. “Few domestic vistiors come with their IDs while visiting Pokhara. So we record their personal information including contact address, before providing them any rooms,” added Sharma.
Kedar Rijal, police chief in Kaski district, said some customers fill up the hotel forms with false information. “If the hotels record personal details from passports, citizenship certificates, driving licences and the like, it can assist the police in minimizing crime.”
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