MURREE: The human rights ministry has taken notice of incidents where tourists were beaten in Murree, after the news was reported in the media.

In a letter to the Rawalpindi commissioner and the regional police officer (RPO), the HR ministry has ordered serious action against the beating, harassing and the violation of human rights of tourists visiting Murree every year.

The letter, available with Dawn, says that videos circulating on social media and reports published in newspapers say that some locals beat tourists due to petty reasons.

The ministry directed the commissioner and RPO to take appropriate, pro-active measures to avoid such untoward incidents in the future and to furnish a report to the ministry in this regard.

After videos of such incidents started circulating on social media, campaigns were started for boycotting Murree.

Representatives of local traders` organisations allege that the campaign was launched by traders in Kaghan, Naran and other resort areas to divert tourists.