Aust backpacker missing in India

mira4bai4

Aust backpacker missing in India
By Simi Chakrabarti in New Delhi

Police in the northern Indian hill town of Kullu say they are searching for an Australian backpacker who has been missing since August 2.

Police say Daniel Hayn Mount Witten went out for an early morning walk and did not return.

The local police superintendent told the ABC that the 23-year-old backpacker was staying in a guest house in the remote village of Chalan in Kullu district with an Israeli friend, who informed the police about the incident after waiting for two days for Mr Witten to show up.

Superintendent Singh says Mr Witten is a naturalised Australian of Israeli origin.

Thousands of foreign tourists visit the Kullu valley each year for its scenic beauty but the region has gained notoriety for its booming drug trade.

Police say since 1992, 15 foreigners have gone missing in the valley.

However, in the case of Mr Witten, Superintendent Singh told the ABC that initial investigation has not linked his disappearance to any drug-related incident.

Ravibagal

I hope they find him soon. There have been more than 200 foreigners killed or raped in this area since 1989. In most cases there is an elaborate cover up and nothing gets done. I hope this will change.

Alan D

Ravi

Where did you get that figure from?

I think the figure given by the police in the above news item is an underestimate - it's probably in the mid-twenties by now but it's nowhere near 200 rapes and murders of foreigners.

Somebody disappeared just before we were in Kullu last summer, his photo was posted around the valley. These things happen with depressing regularity in that area.

__________________
What a long strange trip it's been!

lonelyaztec

I hope they find Daniel Soon.

__________________
Aztec

My photoblog