Confrontation disrupted the travel of tourists while some vehicles were reportedly threatened with stone pelting
SWAT:
The district administration and police in Swat have initiated legal proceedings after a group of local people allegedly prevented tourists from traveling to Mahodand Lake in Kalam, an incident that later went viral on social media and raised concerns over tourist safety in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s premier tourist destination.
According to officials, tourists traveling in private coasters and tour vehicles towards Mahodand Lake were intercepted by local persons who allegedly insisted that visitors use local transport services instead.
The confrontation disrupted tourists’ travel while some vehicles were reportedly threatened with stone pelting, forcing several groups to abandon their visit to the lake.
The affected tourists, including students from Sargodha University in Punjab, were unable to complete their trip to Mahodand Lake, one of Swat’s most visited tourist attractions.
Deputy Commissioner Swat Saleem Jan Marwat took immediate notice of the incident and directed the district administration in coordination with District Police Officer (DPO) Swat Umar Gandapur to initiate legal proceedings against those involved.
An FIR has been registered at Kalam police station against around 30 persons under relevant sections of the Act for allegedly blocking tourists and creating fear and harassment.
“Protection of tourists is the top priority of the KP government,” the district administration said in an official statement.
