KULLU: In a shocking case of inhuman highhandedness, the tourists seeking refuge at Romani House in Kulga village, Parbati Valley, Kullu district, were subjected to alleged “distressing mistreatment and verbal abuse by the guest house owner, Mr. Priyesh, during a recent flood disaster that left them trapped for days there”.
Father of victim Pragya, Indu Prakash Singh, a social activist from Delhi and Rishab Sharma, her friend, have shot off a letter to District collector, Kullu seeking immediate action against the owner of the Kulga Romani House. 
Thousands of tourists were trapped in Kulga, Pulga, Tosh, Manikaran and Kasol as the surging Parbati river and its tributaries unleashed its fury turned the Parbati valley into a trap, leaving tourists marooned with no communication lines to the outside world.
Indu Prakash Singh, speaking out against the owner's cruelty said my daughter and her friend were seeking a lifeline during this critical time.
They wanted to come home on July 14-15 and turned to owner Priyesh of Romani House, requesting alternative payment methods due to the lack of network connectivity hindering online transactions and cash access.
They even offer collateral and police verification from Manikaran Police Station, they pleaded to fulfill their financial obligations once connectivity was restored.
However, instead of compassion, Priyesh coldly rejected their pleas, even threatening them with indefinite detention and unlawfully confiscating their belongings like ear rings and iPhone and degrading treatment right in front of others present in Romani House.
Even locals intervened, but the proprietor showed no sign of remorse and persisted in his abusive behavior.
Adding further anguish, he wrongfully confiscated a tourist's driving license, compounding the misery of the stranded visitors.
Outraged by the incident, Indu Prakash Singh , expressed his dismay at the heartless treatment his daughter and her friend were subjected to.
He said during crises, one should trust and support each other, not add to their suffering. The inability to pay due to network issues and lack of electricity should not warrant such cruel behavior.
Pragya and Rishab rued that they were abused and maltreated and subjected to humiliation and insult. The guest house owner must be made accountable for his action in the face of such a disaster and his credentials need to be checked, they demanded.
They like others trekked from Kulga to Manikaran for 20 kms as the roads are breached at several places and were transported to Kullu and reached their Delhi home yesterday.
They have made their tale of woes viral on social media. “The tourism industry must uphold principles of fairness, compassion, and respect, reinforcing Himachal Pradesh's reputation as a welcoming and responsible tourist destination”, Indu Prakash Singh said.
Owner could not be contacted for his comments due to connectivity problem.
