The Darjeeling district police have taken the task to prepare a database of all those visiting the hills or staying there for various purposes.

According to police sources, residents across the hills, especially in towns like Darjeeling, Kurseong and Mirikhave been asked to fill up forms with details of people staying in their places along with the identity proofs of such persons and hand over the forms to police.

“The initiative has been taken to confirm that we have records of all those who are visiting the hills. It is necessary for the security of people and can help us keep tabs on visitors. We encourage residents to submit the forms with details. We can then access the records at any time,” said Ajay Ganapathi Kumbhar, additional superintendent of police (headquarters), Darjeeling.

Among those who need to submit the forms with guest details include owners of private accommodations like hotels, guest houses and homestays.

“Also, those running paying guest facilities and have tenants in their residential or commercial properties should provide detailed information about people staying as paying guests or tenants or have taken a commercial area on rent, to us,” the officer added.

The police are also apprising residents that they should share details about their employees, security guards, and drivers.

Sources said the district police are putting impetus to maintain this database and update it regularly to prevent crimes in the hills.

“Thousands of people visit the hills every day. Some come to travel, some come to study, some for work and a few come with dishonest intentions,” said a police source.

He referred to the recent murder of a gold jeweller in Darjeeling. “Some persons from Maharashtra were involved, and they stayed in the hills for some time before committing the murder. The persons were nabbed but the police believe if their records were with them, it would have helped,” said the source.

The police have started distributing forms at various police stations in the district.

“It is also available online on the district police’s website. The residents can submit forms offline at police stations with identity proofs like Aadhaar and voter cards of persons concerned. An online facility also is available to submit the form with documents,” an officer said.