Guard arrested, alleged blackmail discovered; Concerns are growing about damage to tourism and staff negligence.
NAUKOT:
Sindh Culture Minister has taken notice of a viral obscene video allegedly filmed inside the historic Naukot Fort, prompting administrative action against the fort staff.
Following the incident, a guard identified as Walam Bheel was arrested by the Vejhoto police and taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.
Meanwhile, a retired former guard, Aachar Bheel, claimed that the video is about a year old. However, police sources said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects involved in obscene acts inside the fort were secretly filmed and then blackmailed.
In addition, it was learned that for several years an alleged gang of blackmailers had been operating inside the fort with the connivance of a guard.
According to sources, the gang provided visitors with secluded places within the fort in exchange for money, secretly recorded videos of intimate acts and subsequently blackmailed the victims. There are reportedly several such videos.
In August last year, Provincial Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah paid a surprise visit to Naukot Fort, during which several employees who were absent from duty were suspended. However, they were reinstated a few months later.
Visitors to the fort have expressed concern that if such embarrassing videos from historical sites continue to surface and go viral, it would seriously harm tourism. They questioned who would be willing to visit those places under these circumstances, blaming the situation on the alleged incompetence and negligence of the personnel stationed at the fort.
Meanwhile, when the journalists tried to get the official version from the SHO, Amin Junejo, he allegedly behaved rudely and threatened the journalists, warning them of the consequences if they did not leave the police station. Later, journalists reported the matter to SSP Tharparkar.
Political and social leaders said both domestic and foreign tourists regularly visit the historic fort, but warned that tourism would be severely affected if the situation was not addressed. They also pointed out that an entry fee of Rs 50 is charged at the site and thousands of rupees are collected daily.
Social and political leaders from Naukot and surrounding areas have demanded that the Prime Minister, Sindh Chief Minister and Culture Minister order a transparent investigation and take strict legal action against those responsible.
