Four college students from Bengaluru were caught smoking and drinking at a temple beach in Gokarna and were instructed by the coastal police to clean the area as punishment.
The incident unfolded when locals reported the group of youngsters creating a disturbance at the temple beach. The students, part of a larger group of 40 from a private college on a trip with their principal, were taken to the police station for questioning.
Upon investigation, the police confirmed the students' identities and their college affiliation, choosing to withhold specific details for privacy reasons. The principal, upon being summoned, expressed remorse and urged the authorities not to escalate the situation.
In response, the coastal police decided on an unconventional punishment: the students were asked to clean up the beach. Under the supervision of Coastal Police Sub-Inspector Ganapathi Naik and officers Ganesh Patgar, Girish Harikanthra, and Govejar Raju Ambig, the students spent over an hour collecting waste. They gathered glass shards, beer cans, plastic debris, and other litter, amassing more than 50 kilograms of trash which they deposited at a designated site.
The Gokarna Panchayat authorities praised the initiative, hoping it would serve as a deterrent and promote cleanliness among visitors.
This incident highlights the increasing measures being taken by local authorities to maintain the pristine condition of tourist destinations and instill a sense of responsibility among visitors.