Guwahati, Nov. 13: Dispur has made it mandatory for the city’s hotels and lodges to keep photo identity proof of their guests before allowing them to check in.
A source said the state government has directed the owners of hotels, boarding places, private guesthouses and paying guest accommodations to collect a copy of any photo identity card issued by a recognised authority before allowing any guest to stay.
“Identity proof such as a driving licence, passport, PAN card, voter-identity card or any other card issued by any government agency or a well known private organisation will be accepted as valid proof,” he said.
The officer said it has been done as a part of the government’s efforts to tighten security in the state capital in the wake of the serial blasts on October 30.
The decision of the state government was conveyed to hoteliers through Kamrup (metro) district administration yesterday.
“The hoteliers were also asked to collect copies of driving licences and registration certificates of the guests who park their vehicles on the hotel premises,” he added.
The government has decided to tighten the noose around hoteliers, who do not furnish information about their guests regularly to police.
“We want to prevent anti-social elements and terrorists from taking shelter in hotels. Security agencies cannot be successful if hoteliers do not co-operate. The hotel owners were requested to inform the police or the civil administration if the behaviour of a guest appeared suspicious,” the source said.
Guwahati earned a bad reputation after militants and criminals from outside the city, including many from Manipur and Nagaland, were found taking shelter here.
The government has also asked shopping malls, cinema halls and hotels to implement access-control measures such as deployment of uniformed private security guards, checking of bags with metal detectors and cars parked inside with under-vehicle search mirrors and installation of CCTV cameras.