US Consulate appreciates Kerala Tourism Police Inspector
Kerala Tourism Police Inspector VB Rasheed has received an appreciation letter from the US Consulate thanking the inspector for helping a US citizen stranded in India, to get back to her country.
It all started when the Kerala police had received a message saying that an American lady had been absconding from a hotel in Chennai, leaving her belongings there and without paying the hotel bill. The message was from the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office), Kochi, who got the intimation from the US Embassy in Chennai. The lady’s documents were said to be handed over by the hotel authorities to the police and then to the US Embassy.
Tourism Police Sub Inspector VB Rasheed
Sub Inspector V B Rasheed of Mattanchery Tourism Police Station was in charge of the case. Using WhatsApp group of the Kerala Tourism Police, he spread the news to all the tourism police stations in the state. They could trace the absconding lady from Fort Kochi, where she stayed in a homestay. Police could take her to custody within 24 hours of receiving the absconding message.
“Once in police custody, she promised to go back to Chennai Embassy and then to her home country. But, when we contacted the Embassy, they told she was still in Kochi. She had been staying in different hotels without paying anything, by shifting one place to another,” said Inspector Rasheed to Tourism News Live.
The inspector took her again in custody and arranged for her travel to Chennai. He provided her with food and necessary clothing and informed the Embassy to arrange someone to take her. Accordingly two persons from the Embassy came to Kerala take her over to Chennai. Rasheed accompanied them until the airport.
Inspector Rasheed on Duty, helping foreign tourists
It is said that her mother had arranged ticket for her and she has flown back to US. Later the US Consulate in Chennai sent an appreciation letter addressed to Rasheed and thanked him for the selfless service he has rendered for the US lady.
“On behalf of the US Consulate General in Chennai, I would like to thank you for helping an American Citizen safely return to her family in the United States and for ensuring she had food to eat and place to stay. With your help, we were able to ensure the American citizen boarded her flight home in a timely manner,” wrote Kent May, Consular Chief in the letter issued.
“We are grateful for the continued cooperation between the Consulate and local authorities in safeguarding American citizens. Your diligence, attention and kindness wend well beyond the call of duty,” the message added
This is not the first time Rasheed is receiving recognition. Last year the Kerala government has presented him with the ‘Best Tourism Police Officer’ award, for his sincere service in the tourism sector.
Letter received from the US Consulate