Srinagar, February 18: In a significant move to modernize safety protocols within the tourism sector, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Jammu & Kashmir Police jointly inaugurated a two-week training programme on “Tech-Infused Tourism Policing” in Srinagar. The initiative aims to enhance the professional capacity of police personnel in managing tourist safety and crisis situations through advanced technological tools.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Mahesh A. Tripathi, Director, RRU J&K Campus, outlined the vision of the initiative and emphasized that the curriculum has been designed to address emerging security challenges in the tourism sector through technological integration. He highlighted that RRU, an Institution of National Importance, provides specialized security training to personnel from across India and several countries.
The initiative aims to equip police personnel with the necessary skills to manage the unique security challenges of high-footfall areas. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Shah Umer (JKPS), Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, who emphasized that tourism policing has become a critical component of internal security in the modern era.
During his inaugural address, Mr. Shah Umer noted that the evolving security dynamics and the steady increase in tourist inflows necessitate a proactive shift in law enforcement strategies. He asserted that police personnel must continuously upskill and adopt modern technologies to ensure better preparedness for future challenges. The program reflects the commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to evolve operational practices in alignment with international standards of tourist safety.
The introductory session was led by Dr. Bilquees Dar, who provided a comprehensive overview of the curriculum. The training is designed to cover essential themes, including tech-enabled policing tools, crisis response mechanisms, and the vital importance of inter-agency coordination. Dr. Dar highlighted that these elements are particularly crucial for maintaining stability in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where tourism serves as a backbone for the local economy.
The training will involve various modules focusing on the intersection of technology and field operations, ensuring that officers are not only reactive but also preventive in their approach to security. As the region continues to see record-breaking tourist numbers, this initiative marks a pivotal step in ensuring that the safety of visitors remains a top priority for the administration.
During the keynote session, Mr. Bhawani Sinh Rathore, Director of the School of Internal Security and SMART Policing (SISSP) at Rashtriya Raksha University, provided a strategic outlook on the economic impact of the industry. He noted that tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing global industries and a vital pillar of national revenue. Highlighting India’s rising global stature, Mr. Rathore stated that India currently ranks among the top 15 tourism destinations worldwide, a position that necessitates the implementation of robust, world-class tourist safety mechanisms to sustain growth and international trust.
Further deliberations featured insights from Ms. Syed Sleet Shah, DySP Hqrs Srinagar, who highlighted critical operational issues such as the safety of female tourists, service regulation, and the prevention of overcharging. The sessions also focused on “image management” for the police force, ensuring that security personnel act as facilitators for a positive tourist experience while maintaining rigorous safety standards. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of Rashtriya Raksha University to provide specialized training that aligns with the evolving security needs of India’s most sensitive regions.
During the training program’s inauguration, key recommendations were proposed to strengthen the tourism sector, including strengthening coordination with trade associations, regulating transport services, and deploying GPS-enabled systems; additionally, the proposals emphasized forming tourist crisis intervention teams, increasing the visibility of tourist police offices, and tasking Rashtriya Raksha University with developing a dedicated tourist assistance mobile application.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Mohammad Akmal Shah, Assistant Director of the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) J&K Campus, who expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries, organizers, participants, and supporting agencies for their contributions to the program’s successful commencement.
This program represents a significant step in RRU’s mission to provide high-level security education that translates into actionable public safety improvements. By fostering collaboration between academic experts and field practitioners, the university continues to lead the way in national security and tourism stability.
