Say traders and residents of Colaba, protesting against tight security arrangement around Taj, arresting their movement and business

While the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to alleviate the inconvenience caused to citizens because of VVIP visits and movement in the city, security arrangements continue to be a bane for Colaba residents and shopkeepers.

Peeved by the constraints imposed on them during visits by high-profile personalities who invariably stay in the South Mumbai locality, they have started a signature campaign against the security setups by the Mumbai police and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.


Mohammed Azam Tanki, a carpet trader behind the Taj, is among the shopkeepers crusading against the security menace


Shopkeepers who have been running their business since Independence claim the arrangements are a sort of curfew, affecting their business as the number of customers dwindles during police bandobast.

Mohammed Azam Tanki, owner of Mahad Joo and Sons, a carpet trader behind the Taj, is among the shopkeepers crusading against the security menace.

"This is injustice. When Taj customers are allowed to take their cars to the premises, why are our customers not allowed to drive in the area?

We are asked to show passes before we enter the lane. The hotel is doing business, but what about our livelihood? We understand that security is important but the rules should be the same for all," Tanki said.

In a letter to Raymond Bickson, CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, which runs the Taj, and to Colaba police last week (copy with MiD DAY), residents and traders appealed to the authorities to look into the matter.

Representatives of Bombay Yacht Club have also written to the Colaba police about the inconvenience caused to their members.

Preeti Bedi, daughter of renowned photographer Mitter Bedi, who runs a studio behind the Taj, said, "Since US President Barrack Obama visited the city, our life has become hell. Cars are stopped at Yacht Club and are not permitted to travel beyond the Taj and Mereweather Road, unless they have a pass or are going to the Taj.
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Business is severely affected as shops in the are mainly attract tourists, who do not bother to come to the lane because of the security arrangement."

Piling losses made Bedi and her associates start the signature campaign against the police and the hotel. The campaign has renowned people like designer Rohit Bal as its signatories.

Bedi added, "If VVIPs come to the state, why is the government making them stay at the Taj (see box), even when they know it is vulnerable to terror attack. It is just a gimmick. The hotel is eyeing the side lanes and wants to operate according to their own whims and fancies."

As reported by MiD DAY ('Don't Rock our boats', January 14), ferry owners have decided to approach Home Minister RR Patil, to ask him for removing the security before boat owners are forced to shut business.

Patient denied entry

A spokesperson from Kalajot Hospital in Colaba said that patients coming to the hospital suffer as they are not allowed to bring in taxis, even if they are in no condition to walk.
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MiD DAY spoke to one such patient who was denied entry yesterday by cops. The 60-year-old's hand and leg were fractured.

His son, Premavati Ved, said, "They told us that because of security reasons, we couldn't take the cab inside. When we told them that the patient couldn't walk, the cop told us to take him on a wheel chair. This is just too much."

The Other Side

AK Ingale, senior police inspector, Colaba police station, said, "These arrangements are made for security reasons. We are following the orders given by our seniors. The security will remain until January 26. But we can't confirm that it will be removed later."

"The heightened security around the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has been suggested by the police and concerned authorities, in response to intelligence inputs they have received.u00a0

We are merely cooperating with them. Also, while we have one hotel representative to identify hotel cars and allow them access, these cars are parked at the designated areas only. We regret the inconvenience caused to shop owners in the area, but we must all understand that this is for the safety and security of all," said a spokesperson from the Taj.