Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jan 17: Malpe beach contractor Sudesh Shetty has issued a clarification about the recent incident at the beach where the beach staff is alleged to have acted inappropriately with a YouTuber.
Speaking about the incident, Sudesh Shetty has stated that the staff confronted the YouTuber because he was arrogant and not due to any other reason.
"The YouTuber did not have a receipt for payment of charges for using the camera. Therefore, the camera was not allowed inside the beach. As the island is an ecologically sensitive area, bags are not allowed inside. The YouTuber had agreed to leave his luggage in the room meant for it outside the beach entrance after our staff prevented him from entering without permission. Meanwhile, a person who was with him tried to click pictures which was opposed by our staff. The YouTuber threatened us that he will shoot a video and publicise it. Therefore, our staff opposed it and not for any other reason," Shetty said.
"The footage in the social media has been twisted and only the video of our staff opposing the actions have been made public. The insults by the YouTuber and the person with him opposing our staff have not been shown, " he claimed.
He further said, "The protection of the island is on us. It is the responsibility of our staff to control inappropriate behaviour by the tourists here. The island has been developed by environment friendly things. The safety of the tourists also is taken into consideration."
Earlier Report
Udupi: Tourist expresses rage against mismanagement of St Mary’s Island
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Jan 17: Chaos prevail at popular tourist spot St Mary’s Island off the coast of Malpe. A tourist expressed rage against the administration.
St Mary’s Island personnel showed arrogance with a tourist. Cameras are not allowed on St Mary’s Island. They need to be kept in luggage room after paying specified fee. However, the luggage room has no door at all. Anything that is kept inside the room is not safe.
The tourist in question asked the personnel manning St Mary’s Island safety of keeping his camera that is worth lac of rupees inside the luggage room which has no door. The arrogant staff said that he will throw the camera.
The people manning St Mary’s Island do not respect tourists while speaking. They address the tourists as if they are subordinates to them.
At Malpe, fee for Sea Walk is collected for camera use but the same is not allowed to be used at St Mary’s Island. Tourists also expressed the high ticket price for the boat that ferries tourists to the Island.
The district administration is silent even after so many complaints about the mismanagement of the tourist spot. The video of the altercation between the tourist and the people manning the Island has gone viral on social media.
Malpe development committee holds the responsibility of maintaining St Mary’s Island.