Tourists from Sankeshwar, Karnataka, have accused officials of the Goa forest department of assault and extortion during their visit to the popular Sural Falls near Belagavi. The incident reportedly occurred near Kanakumbi in Khanapura Taluk, where Sural Falls, also known as the “Venezuela of Karnataka,” is located. With the onset of the rainy season, this picturesque waterfall attracts many tourists from Karnataka, but recent visitors have faced unexpected hostility.
According to allegations, forest department officials have been capitalizing on the influx of tourists by extorting money and resorting to physical violence. Five youths from Sankeshwar in Hukkeri taluk reported being beaten with sticks on their backs, legs, and hands. They claimed that the forest staff not only assaulted them but also took ₹9,000 from their wallets through online payment.
The tourists accused the officials of routinely targeting visitors to the falls, constantly assaulting and extorting money for various reasons. The Sural Waterfall police and forest department officials have been implicated in these accusations of extortion and misconduct.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of tourists visiting Sural Falls, a popular destination on the Karnataka-Goa border.