Cops haul off photographers to Colaba police station; ask them to work in shifts of 10 at a time
One of the most common sights near the Gateway of India photographers with Polaroid cameras dangling around their necks may soon disappear, at least for the time-being.
Cops, who don't approve of so many cameramen milling around the area, yesterday dragged all of them to the Colaba police station. They have now been asked to work in shifts, with only 10 photographers at a time.
Police said that while some were fined for illegal hawking, others were let off with a warning.
However, when asked about the incident, Gateway beat officer, sub inspector S Gaikwad said, 'It is a routine meeting, we only wanted to give them some tips.' He refused to elaborate.
One of the photographers, Vijay, said that the police have told them to work in shifts, with only 10 photographers allowed per shift.
On a usual day, over 125 photographers were found doing business at the Gateway. Since the terror attacks, the Colaba police have been seen driving away photographers who are catering to 'terror tourists', who want their pictures taken with the Taj in the background.
125 Photographers at Gateway on a usual day (before 26/11)
No takers Anil Pandey, a photographer at Gateway of India since the 17 years, is unable to support his family because of the fall in business. "This is the worst period of my life. It will take a lot of time for business to be good again," said Pandey, who is earning just half the amount he was earning earlier. Another photographer, Suresh Kumar, added, "Most people now come with their own cameras and click pictures of the Taj. They hardly approach us." - Vedika Tripathi
