Mangaluru: Terming ugly and repeated episodes of moral policing in the district as a major impediment for tourism development in the region, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that it is difficult to promote the region as a safe place for tourists when cases of moral policing and assault on young couples keep hitting headlines.

While delivering a seminar on ‘Local governance and sustainable development of Dakshina Kannada’ at NITK, Surathkal on Friday, he said that if men and women from different religions cannot walk around freely and fearlessly in the region, then no tourist would ever want to come here to enjoy quality time.

He further said that, the people in Dakshina Kannada should change their attitude and mindset, and the groups and the individuals who are indulging into ‘moral policing’ should be fought out.

The DC said that even Tier II cities are capable of having industries, but resistance from locals is a major deterrent.