Agra: Archeological Survey of India (ASI) officials and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were at loggerheads once again when a team of 40 disabled children from Sri Lanka and various parts of the country were made to wait outside Taj Mahal’s west gate for more than half and hour in hot and humid weather conditions by CISF officials, despite having permission for free entry from ASI headquarters.

The children had been brought by the city-based organization, Disabled Sporting Group, which promotes sports and other activities among children with special needs. According to sources, the team’s manager was asked by CISF officials to meet senior officials posted at the monument’s east gate. A complaint was registered with the ASI office.

An ASI official said there was no rule stating that tourists with free entry passes should enter the premises through the east gate. “We do not understand why the CISF would stop the group from entering and in case of confusion they should have approached us. The CISF’s job is to maintain security and frisk tourists entering the premises,” said an ASI official.

He added that when ASI staff came to know about it they reached the west gate and helped the harried children enter the monument.

According to sources, the manager’s written complaint reportedly states that the behaviour of CISF officials was not satisfactory and she was made to do rounds of the premises unnecessarily.

A senior CISF official has however denied about allegations made about behaviour of officials and said the whole issue was a misunderstanding and they have asked personnel posted at the gates not to stop visitors without cause.

