Koraput bans foreign tourists

KORAPUT: In the wake of two back-to-back abductions in Odisha, a complete ban has been imposed on the entry of foreign nationals and tourists into the Maoist-hit Koraput district. The district administration’s ban follows abduction of two Italian tourists and MLA Jhina Hikaka by the Maoists in the State.District Collector Sachin Jadhav communicated this through a letter to all tour operators on Monday. The Collector said that the administration would reassess the security situation and take a call on the issue of regulating movement of foreign nationals and tourists in the district. “Till that time no permission will be issued to foreign nationals and tourists to visit any part of the district,” he said. Last week, the Rayagada district administration had imposed a similar restriction on the entry of all foreign tourists into the tribal-dominated district.However, the Collector said the foreign nationals working with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and several NGOs should remain in their respective headquarters.