Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda and Association office-bearers have condemned the assault on a restaurant owner by Mandi Police Station Inspector for keeping the hotel open beyond 9 pm.

The Association has complained that Mandi Inspector Raghu and staff, barged into Big Grill Hotel on New Sayyaji Rao Road in Bamboo Bazar at about 10 pm on Wednesday and assaulted hotel owner Javeed Ahmed Khan. Narayanagowda said that following COVID pandemic, the Government has imposed Night Curfew, which is being strictly followed by all hotels and added that in case of violations by hotels, the Police could have issued a notice and could have even collected fine. But, how right it is for the Police to assault the hotel owner,  he questioned.

Pointing out that the hotel industry was reeling under severe loss due to the pandemic and is now on the verge of recovery, he said that such incidents by the Police would put us down. “Despite severe hardships due to pandemic, we are paying our tax which is fetching revenue to the Government. We have been helping during disasters and natural  calamities and working hard for the development of tourism sector by providing hospitality to tourists and guests visiting the city. This type of harassment to hotel owners is like rubbing salt on the wound,” Narayanagowda said.

Association members, who met Hotel owner Javeed, collected information from him, instilled confidence and told him that they had met the City Police Commissioner and submitted a complaint. The CCTV footage of the Police Inspector assaulting hotel owner Javeed has gone viral on                                                                     social media.

Hotel owner Javeed said that the staff had downed the shutters at 9 pm, but a couple was still having dinner. He accused the Police of abusing and assaulting him after barging inside the hotel.

It is our responsibility to implement the Night Curfew order imposed by the Government. Though we have been instructing hotels and shop to close by 9 pm, a few were not responding to it, which could lead to deterioration in law and order situation. In this background, we went to the hotel and inspected the place. There is a limit for our patience too. Everyone should follow the Government order, said Raghu, Inspector, Mandi Police Station.

Hotel Owners Association office-bearers Ravi Shastri, Kiran Tantri, Prabhakar and others were in the delegation that met the City Top Cop.