Police ask Berhampur, Gopalpur hoteliers to screen guests

Hoteliers here will be asked by the police to verify the identity proof of all guests besides clicking their photographs with a web camera.
It is part of a strategy to nab criminals operating from hotels in Berhampur and Gopalpur, said Superintendent of Police (Berhampur) Sarthk Sarangi.
Police said criminals often stay in hotels in the guise of businessmsn and commit the crime.
It came to light after two gangsters from Bihar were killed in Lanjipalli recently.
As one group of four persons, identified as train looters, was staying in a hotel, another group had taken a house on rent. Police have sealed the hotel room since. In 2012, police busted a gang staying in a hotel.

Similarly, gold smugglers also put up in the hotel in the guise of businessmen. "We will ask hoteliers to maintain details of occupants such as address, phone number, identity proof and photographs," the SP said.

"We will aks them to inform the police if any suspicious person wants to stay in the hotel," he said.
Hotel and Restaurants Association of
Odisha Joint Secretary V Santosh Kumar said hoteliers will cooperate with the police.