Another backpacker death in the Kullu Valley

neoncarrot · Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:17

The Kullu Valley added to its grisly reputation again today when the body of a British woman, Anna Hamilton, was washed up on the banks of the Beas river near Manali town centre. The article linked below from the Hindu gives brief details,

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/04022203.htm

and I have some additional commentary on this one and other disappearances in my blog at http://www.neoncarrot.co.uk/weblog/ncweblog.html

backtobom · Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:30

here's a blast from the past

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/030921/af...ficnews.ht ml

neoncarrot · Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:39

With reference to Backtobom's link above, Sobraj had a few more court appearances in the mid nineties; nothing to do with murder, but stemming from conversations he had had with various politicians concerning some of the great Indian scandals of the mid nineties (Bofors and St Kitts I think) while they were also incarcerated in Delhi's Tihar Jail. Betwwen him and the "contraversial Godman" Chandraswamy it made some bizarre front pages in the Indian press.

breeb · Oct 3rd, 2003, 08:11

How terrifying. I'm headed there soon. Is it only people who have been walking alone off the tracks that have generally gone missing?

Samsara · Oct 3rd, 2003, 18:40

How scarey - in neoncarrot's first newslink, they mention there was another body, a male, found a few kms away in the river also, but they haven't identified this body.

neoncarrot · Oct 4th, 2003, 01:15

There's more on the story in this typically tabloid Daily Mirror (UK) <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13474789_meth od=full_siteid=50143_headline=-HACKED-TO-DEATH-name_page.html"> article</a> , and a bit more on the local rumour mill in my blog at http://www.neoncarrot.co.uk/weblog/2...1_archive.html under the heading "More on the Manali backpacker death".

In answer to Breeb's question; people have gone missing or died under a variety of circumstances, some suspicious (or simply murderous) some accidental. If you want to find out more, try searching Google or news.google.com with terms like "Kullu valley missing persons" etc, and you will turn up a fair number of pages giving accounts of some of the incidents.

iasis · Oct 5th, 2003, 23:42

Well, a not very uncommon story from the Himachal Pradesh area, unfortunately!! It is well known that there are lots of people missing in the Kullu and Parvati valleys! I have to admitt that when I was heading there-a year ago- I was also terrified with all these stories!Agre with neoncarrot since I am sure that it doesnt has to do with just walking around alone, things are always more complicated than that, or simple as that! U need to carry with you a "gadget" called common sense...and some luck!
Travel safe!!

rickshawwallah · Oct 6th, 2003, 06:19

1. Never trek without an experienced, reputable local guide. Trekking companies are good for this, and they'll have a signed contract to trace your itinerary and whereabouts if there's a problem.
2. Don't trek beyond your abilities. Remember that in the Himalaya, weather and lack of good maps are huge factors. What's easy in clear weather with good visibility can become very treacherous in white-out conditions. Don't count on your guide to know when to safely turn back, either. The local guides are great, but few of them understand when it's best to cut their losses and turn back. Alas, the profit motive always drives the group frward.
3. Stay away from the drug scene. Period. Drugs may not be the root of all evil in the Kullu/Parvati valleys, but they are one of the greatest disturbances in this peaceful region.
Sounds like common sense.

indiamike · Oct 12th, 2003, 19:16

Two Irish men are facing murder charges in India over the death of a British woman in the north of the country.

The two have appeared before a court in the popular tourist town of Manali.....

Full Article

Alan D · Oct 14th, 2003, 17:00

Thanks neoncarrot, for keeping us informed about the recent tragic happenings in the Kullu Valley.

I first became aware of what was going on there some years ago when I saw a BBC tv programme called "Death in Kullu" on BBC World in India. I think the count at that time was 13 or 14 people had gone missing in the area and people are still being murdered or disappearing. I think I'm right in saying that most of the disappearances are still unexplained and only one of the murder cases has resulted in a conviction. Something very strange is going on in this beautiful part of India.

Why Kullu? These things don't happen in other areas like Garhwahl or Kumaon or indeed in any other part of India. Is there a psycho on the loose or are these murders to do with the large amounts of money changing hands in the dope business?

The police seem unable to stop these things happening despite the appointment of a new police chief a couple of years ago who seemed to be determined to solve the cases. If the local Indian police can't protect people then it's time to call in Interpol to see what they can do.

I've visited the Kullu Valley quite a few times in recent years and will hopefully be there again sometime next year. I like the area and have never felt threatened but I haven't walked alone on remote mountain trails and would advise other travellers not to do so. I would also advise anyone thinking of doing "business" in this area to be very, very careful.

On a lighter note neoncarrot, I really enjoy your website entries on everyday life in the valley - apple harvest, fruit bats and festivals and would recommend it to everyone on indiamike.com.

The Kullu Valley certainly needs some good publicity!

pooch · Oct 14th, 2003, 18:17

The deaths have to do with the ongoing turf wars there. Interestingly the local registrar will show you one of the highest % of tourist marriages to local women (residence permit can't be denied then).

neoncarrot · Oct 22nd, 2003, 05:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan D
On a lighter note neoncarrot, I really enjoy your website entries on everyday life in the valley - apple harvest, fruit bats and festivals and would recommend it to everyone on indiamike.com.

The Kullu Valley certainly needs some good publicity!

AlanD

Aw shucks...the cheques in the post... Seriously, thanks for the vote of confidence; appreciated.

ProudWine · Aug 10th, 2009, 09:29

wow. quite an eye opener...

Aishah · Aug 10th, 2009, 09:41

Keep in mind the date of this - it is 2003.

Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:17	#1
neoncarrot Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manali, India Posts: 84	Another backpacker death in the Kullu Valley The Kullu Valley added to its grisly reputation again today when the body of a British woman, Anna Hamilton, was washed up on the banks of the Beas river near Manali town centre. The article linked below from the Hindu gives brief details, http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/04022203.htm and I have some additional commentary on this one and other disappearances in my blog at http://www.neoncarrot.co.uk/weblog/ncweblog.html

Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:39	#3
neoncarrot Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manali, India Posts: 84	With reference to Backtobom's link above, Sobraj had a few more court appearances in the mid nineties; nothing to do with murder, but stemming from conversations he had had with various politicians concerning some of the great Indian scandals of the mid nineties (Bofors and St Kitts I think) while they were also incarcerated in Delhi's Tihar Jail. Betwwen him and the "contraversial Godman" Chandraswamy it made some bizarre front pages in the Indian press. __________________ Photo galleries, essays, travel tips and India statistics at: Neoncarrot India travelog

Oct 3rd, 2003, 08:11	#4
breeb Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 51	How terrifying. I'm headed there soon. Is it only people who have been walking alone off the tracks that have generally gone missing? __________________ Power to the Peaceful

Oct 6th, 2003, 06:19	#8
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	3 simple rules to avoid trouble in Manali 1. Never trek without an experienced, reputable local guide. Trekking companies are good for this, and they'll have a signed contract to trace your itinerary and whereabouts if there's a problem. 2. Don't trek beyond your abilities. Remember that in the Himalaya, weather and lack of good maps are huge factors. What's easy in clear weather with good visibility can become very treacherous in white-out conditions. Don't count on your guide to know when to safely turn back, either. The local guides are great, but few of them understand when it's best to cut their losses and turn back. Alas, the profit motive always drives the group frward. 3. Stay away from the drug scene. Period. Drugs may not be the root of all evil in the Kullu/Parvati valleys, but they are one of the greatest disturbances in this peaceful region. Sounds like common sense.

Oct 14th, 2003, 17:00	#10
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Thanks neoncarrot, for keeping us informed about the recent tragic happenings in the Kullu Valley. I first became aware of what was going on there some years ago when I saw a BBC tv programme called "Death in Kullu" on BBC World in India. I think the count at that time was 13 or 14 people had gone missing in the area and people are still being murdered or disappearing. I think I'm right in saying that most of the disappearances are still unexplained and only one of the murder cases has resulted in a conviction. Something very strange is going on in this beautiful part of India. Why Kullu? These things don't happen in other areas like Garhwahl or Kumaon or indeed in any other part of India. Is there a psycho on the loose or are these murders to do with the large amounts of money changing hands in the dope business? The police seem unable to stop these things happening despite the appointment of a new police chief a couple of years ago who seemed to be determined to solve the cases. If the local Indian police can't protect people then it's time to call in Interpol to see what they can do. I've visited the Kullu Valley quite a few times in recent years and will hopefully be there again sometime next year. I like the area and have never felt threatened but I haven't walked alone on remote mountain trails and would advise other travellers not to do so. I would also advise anyone thinking of doing "business" in this area to be very, very careful. On a lighter note neoncarrot, I really enjoy your website entries on everyday life in the valley - apple harvest, fruit bats and festivals and would recommend it to everyone on indiamike.com. The Kullu Valley certainly needs some good publicity! __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:30	#2
backtobom Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salford, UK Posts: 18	here's a blast from the past http://asia.news.yahoo.com/030921/af...ficnews.ht ml

Oct 3rd, 2003, 18:40	#5
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 507	How scarey - in neoncarrot's first newslink, they mention there was another body, a male, found a few kms away in the river also, but they haven't identified this body.

Oct 4th, 2003, 01:15	#6
neoncarrot Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manali, India Posts: 84	There's more on the story in this typically tabloid Daily Mirror (UK) <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13474789_meth od=full_siteid=50143_headline=-HACKED-TO-DEATH-name_page.html"> article</a> , and a bit more on the local rumour mill in my blog at http://www.neoncarrot.co.uk/weblog/2...1_archive.html under the heading "More on the Manali backpacker death". In answer to Breeb's question; people have gone missing or died under a variety of circumstances, some suspicious (or simply murderous) some accidental. If you want to find out more, try searching Google or news.google.com with terms like "Kullu valley missing persons" etc, and you will turn up a fair number of pages giving accounts of some of the incidents.

Oct 5th, 2003, 23:42	#7
iasis Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: neverland Posts: 77	Well, a not very uncommon story from the Himachal Pradesh area, unfortunately!! It is well known that there are lots of people missing in the Kullu and Parvati valleys! I have to admitt that when I was heading there-a year ago- I was also terrified with all these stories!Agre with neoncarrot since I am sure that it doesnt has to do with just walking around alone, things are always more complicated than that, or simple as that! U need to carry with you a "gadget" called common sense...and some luck! Travel safe!!

Oct 12th, 2003, 19:16	#9
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	Two Irish men are facing murder charges in India over the death of a British woman in the north of the country. The two have appeared before a court in the popular tourist town of Manali..... Full Article

Oct 14th, 2003, 18:17	#11
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	The deaths have to do with the ongoing turf wars there. Interestingly the local registrar will show you one of the highest % of tourist marriages to local women (residence permit can't be denied then).

Aug 10th, 2009, 09:29	#13
ProudWine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13	wow. quite an eye opener...

Aug 10th, 2009, 09:41	#14
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	Keep in mind the date of this - it is 2003. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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