Sri Vijaya Puram, May 30: In an effort to strengthen tourist safety and improve policing standards in tourism-sensitive areas, the Andaman and Nicobar Police concluded a week-long specialised training programme on Tourism Policing, aimed at enhancing the professional capabilities of personnel engaged in tourism-related duties and public interaction across the Islands.
The training programme was conducted from May 25 to May 29, 2026, at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Police Training Institute (NSCBPTI), Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat. A total of 56 police personnel participated in the programme.
The initiative was organised against the backdrop of the growing importance of tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the increasing need for police personnel to address challenges associated with tourist safety, public engagement and destination management. The programme focused on equipping participants with modern policing approaches required in areas that receive large numbers of domestic and international visitors.
The training forms part of a broader academic collaboration between Andaman and Nicobar Police and Rashtriya Raksha University. The two institutions had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 3, 2025, for a period of five years. The agreement seeks to facilitate academic cooperation and accreditation of professional courses conducted by NSCBPTI, while promoting research, training and knowledge-sharing initiatives for capacity building within the police force.
During the programme, participants underwent training on a range of contemporary subjects linked to tourism policing. Sessions covered tourism policing concepts, soft skills, cultural sensitivity, professional conduct, crowd psychology at tourist destinations, media and social media management, emergency response mechanisms, disaster management, humanitarian assistance and cyber awareness.
The curriculum also addressed digital crimes targeting tourists, risk mapping of tourism hubs, the use of artificial intelligence and modern surveillance technologies for tourist safety, community engagement strategies, public order management and challenges associated with protecting indigenous tribes and eco-sensitive areas.
Faculty members and subject experts from Rashtriya Raksha University delivered lectures and interactive sessions on emerging challenges and best practices in tourism-oriented policing. Offline sessions were conducted by Vishal Katariya, Research Officer, and Dr. Ruchika Singla, Assistant Professor and Director (In-charge), School of Internal Security and SMART Policing, Rashtriya Raksha University. Additional sessions were conducted online by Sagar Ghodasara, Dr. Mohammad Akmal Shah, Assistant Director, Rashtriya Raksha University, Sourav Dey and other faculty members.
The valedictory session was held on May 29 at NSCBPTI, Sri Vijaya Puram. Participants described the programme as practical and comprehensive, stating that the knowledge and skills gained during the sessions would assist them in carrying out their responsibilities more effectively in tourism-sensitive regions of the Islands.
The programme reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen policing capacity in support of tourism development and public safety across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
