Not again!

Residents, shopkeepers up in arms against cops' decision to set up barricades outside Taj Mahal because of security threats to VVIPs

In a city with few open spaces, the stretch opposite the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel was paradise. But, if all goes according to the police, the area opposite the hotel will be cordoned off again because of perceived terror threats to VVIP visitors at the hotel.


Residents of Colaba chant slogans against the barricades calling them unfair as they affect flow of traffic and businesses

Assistant Commissioner of Police (south region) Naval Bajaj made the announcement at a meeting with residents atu00a0u00a0 Holy Name high school on Tuesday. However, it was not welcomed, as this is not the first time that the area surrounding the hotel has been cordoned off.

Previously, the area was provided with heavy police cover during US President Obama's visit and during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit.
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These VVIP visits had irked the residents of the area, which led them to organise a morcha at Azad Maidan last month forcing the cops to withdraw the blockades.

Residents see the barricades as unjust as it not only affects the flow of traffic but also causes financial losses to the small business establishments in the area.

As reported by MiD DAY earlier ('Southern discomfort', February 2) the residents demanded that all barricades in the area be removed and things be restored back to normalcy.

Grumbling about the blockades put up for security, Preeti Bedi, who owns Mitter Bedi studio in the vicinity, said, "For whom is this security? Is it for the Taj Hotel or is it for the security of human beings.
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If the hotel has become such a liability then it is time we rethink whether the hotel should exist in the area at all. When visitors to the hotel can be allowed to take their cars inside the barricaded area, why is there a restriction on residents doing so? Is it because celebrities staying at the Taj are more important than us?"

Business suffers

A shop owner, who has been selling carpets behind the hotel for the last 40 years, was concerned he would incur losses. "Taj is doing good business but shopkeepers adjacent to the place suffer heavy losses. Why this disparity?"

Bade Miya owner Jamal Shaikh, who was forced to shut shop for a few days during Obama's visit to the city, rued, "Our customers are those who travel by bike or by car. If vehicles will not be permitted in the area, our business will once again have to bear the brunt."

And even though the police welcomed suggestions during the meeting on Tuesday, it seems the residents are not convinced. "We made suggestions but cops are reluctant to agree to our demands," said Asif Tanki of Mahad Joo & Sons, in Colaba.

Tanki and his associates had earlier addressed a letter with a signature campaign to the police and to the hotel authoritiesu00a0 appealing that the barricades be removed.

The Other Side
"There is a threat to the Taj hotel and stepping up security is an immediate concern for us. We had called a meeting with the residents and had welcomed suggestions. But, security is the first priority," said ACP Naval Bajaj.