The Maoist attack on Sunday at Livitiput in Dumbriguda mandal in Visakhapatnam Agency in which Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma, were gunned down, has hit the tourism industry.
The spot where the two were killed is about 15 km from Araku Valley, which is the most favourite haunt for tourists.
Immediately after the incident, the valley saw a spurt in violence. Apart from giving a two-day bandh call, the police station of Araku and Dumbriguda (located in the same complex in Araku) was burnt down by the irate locals.
This has created an apprehension among tourists and they reportedly fear for their safety, said Sunit Panja, owner of Nimantran hotel, a favoured destination of tourists from West Bengal and Odisha.
The tourism season is just beginning and such incidents create panic among the tourists, as Araku is featured in the itinerary of all tourists. Three package tours of about 30 people were cancelled due to the incident, he said. Speaking about the setback, K. Vijaymohan of Welfare Tours and Travels, said it was a temporary setback and within days things would return to normalcy.
Police assurance
Meanwhile, both Visakhapatnam CP Mahesh Chandra Laddha and SP Rahul Dev Sharma, said there was nothing to worry for the tourists.
Adequate police force had been stationed and the area was being sanitised. As far as the valley is concerned, there was nothing to worry, said Mr. Sharma.
Araku Valley and its surrounding places such as Chaparai and Anantagiri are favourite tourist haunts.