ALAPPUZHA: Peeping toms among houseboat crew members have become a nightmare for honeymooning couples who hire these boats. In the last couple of months, there have been three incidents, of which one case has been registered by the North police following a complaint by a Chennai couple last month.
The problem is that, often, incidents go unreported. Recent incidents also include fleecing and stealing which was discovered after a massive raid ordered by the district police chief on Saturday.
A Chennai couple detected a hole in the bathroom adjacent to the kitchen. A further check resulted in the discovery of three more holes. The employees denied any foul play but the couple marched them to the police station. However, the houseboat owner intervened and returned the couple’s money.
“We had registered a case after a complaint by the couple," says V Babu, Circle Inspector, North police, here. “The only precaution for a couple is to choose a houseboat with care. As the rooms are built with either coconut or palm leaves, it’s easy to make holes. It’s very difficult to spot the hole," the CI points out.
“Two other couples including an Arab discovered holes on bedroom walls. They suspended the trip abruptly and got their money back but showed no interest in registering a case,” a source told DC.
But houseboat employees’ misconduct doesn’t end here. Last week, a couple from Munnar stayed in a houseboat and lost two sovereigns of gold kept in the bag.
The travellers alleged that the employees looted them, but the latter denied it. In another episode, shoes worth Rs4,000 were taken by houseboat crew. It was returned after they were questioned by the police.
Meanwhile, alcoholism among houseboat workers continues. On January 17, 2014, three women tourists — Kristine MacMillan, Candian, Jennifer Crane, American and Sacha Moreland, New Zealand — were in trouble because of drunken crew members. They had also registered a police complaint saying $45 and Rs 8,000 were stolen by the employees.
Mr P. K. Sajeev Kumar, Kerala Houseboats and Resorts Workers Union (CITU) state general secretary, claims that the union would not back errant houseboat workers. “We give membership to workers only after being convinced they follow the guidelines. If anyone violates the guidelines, he will be expelled from the union. But such issues come up as houseboat owners hire those having dubious records to save money.”
N. Sreekumar, general secretary, All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association (AKHOA), asserts that the association had issued strict orders several times. “The association can do nothing because owners are not aware of what crew members are doing onboard. We are happy if the police take strict action against perpetrators," he points out.
