Lapses raise concern over security of Ajmer Dargah

The Dargah of Ajmer Sharif Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, which has become a victim of the terror attack in the past, is once again facing serious security issues. 

Thousands of pilgrims visiting the Dargah on a daily basis are at risk, but the police administration and the Dargah Committee are still not taking the matter of security seriously.

On paper, there is security on 10 gates of the Dargah, but in reality, there are no arrangements like this. 

The metal detector door frames and x-ray baggage machines, worth lakhs of rupees, present in the Dargah to enhance security are not in working condition. The matter of concern is that both these machines are not functional for a period of 4 years, but no one is concerned for the same.

In the beginning, an engineer was called from Delhi to fix the machines, who reported the machine parts to be defective and out of warranty period. Due to lack of security, drug addicts and infiltrators have started visiting the place more often.

It is noteworthy that on October 11, 2007, the Dargah has already faced a terror attack and according to the report of the intelligence department, even today the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is on the target of the terrorists. In this connection, the local intelligence department has also briefed the Minority Affairs Ministry many times before, but the security of the Dargah has not been taken care of.

The most number of pilgrims visit the Dargah on Thursdays and Fridays, and the security is inadequate for these two days of the week. Khadims of the Dargah says that all the gates of the Dargah should be staffed by the Dargah Committee members along with the police. At the same time, special attention should also be paid to the drinking water facility for the visitors and cleanliness of the place