Meanwhile, BMC, cops, archaeological dept begin blame game
Meanwhile, BMC, cops, archaeological dept begin blame game
The State Archaeological and Museum department has acted upon the MiD DAY story, 'SRPF's home sweet home at Gateway', November 18, which highlighted how the security personnel stationed to guard the Taj hotel in the run up to the 26th, had to perforce use the heritage monument as a makeshift home.
The men have now moved to the Colaba police station, which is next to a stinking public toilet. They have been given a room to rest during off duty hours.
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It is learnt from police sources that the SRPF jawans were reprimanded by senior police officials for their act and were instructed not to speak to the media.
The archaeological department has now written a letter to the Principal Secretary (Tourism and Culture), Assistant Commissioner BMC 'A' ward and Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 1, pointing to the MiD DAY report that the monument had been damaged, an offence under sections 7 (1) and 8 of the Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1962.
Forced to use the monument, the SRPF men used plastic sheets to keep out the rain and have even driven nails into the walls from where clotheslines are hung.
A senior official from the archaeology department stated that the police department should have informed the archaeology department that the SRPF company had been deployed at the Gateway of India.
"Acting on the report, the SRPF personnel have now been relocated outside the monument. We will conduct surprise checks at the location to ensure that such an act is not repeated," said the officer.
A senior BMC officer from the local ward office added, "The deployment of SRPF was needed for security reasons. Since both are state government-run departments, the BMC has hardly any role in this."
The officer added, that two BMC security guards had been deployed at the monument to stop trespassers.
A senior IPS officer added, "The Taj and the Gateway of India were already targetted by terror groups twice earlier (2003 and 2008). The presence of the SRPF is a must to avert any such attempt in future."
The officer hinted that the SRPF would continue to be deployed at the Gateway.
Rs 1.9 Cr
The cost of restoration work on the Gateway of India
Section 7 (1) Holding of meeting etc in monuments
No protected monument shall be used for the purpose of holding any meeting, reception, party, conference or entertainment except under and in accordance with a permission in writing granted by the state government.
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Section 8- Prohibition of certain acts within the monuments
No person shall with in a protected monument
a) do any act which causes or is likely to cause damage or injury to any part of the monument or
b) discharge fire arms or
c) cook or consume food except in areas, if any, permitted to be used for that purpose by the Director or an Archaeological Officer
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