JAIPUR: The security system at the 12 century shrine of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz put in place after the terror strike that claimed three lives and injured 15 on October 11, 2007 had recently been questioned by the Union home ministry in its latest report. Following the report, security agencies had been put on high alert at all entry and exit points of the shrine.

But little seem to have been done so far if one goes by the regular clashes even inside the dargah premises brandishing weapons like knives and iron rods.

Sources said urban development and housing minister Shanti Dhariwal and chief secretary S Ahmed recently received the Centre's report in which questions have been raised over the poor security arrangements, including inadequate security staff, close-circuit TVs, and other surveillance gadgets and rampant encroachment around the dargah building.

Following the receipt of the report, Dhariwal visited the shrine on July 6 and held a meeting with senior administration officials including Ajmer's divisional commissioner, police superintendent and district collector . "We had discuss the proposed projects for Dargah keeping an eye on security concerns and the 800th annual Urs which is eight months away," Ajmer district collector Rajpal told TOI.

The report said CCTVs, highbeam cameras, door-frame and hand held metal detectors, X-ray luggage machines and other security gadgets in the shrine are in poor shape. In fact, most of the CCTV cameras are not working for months.

Time and again loopholes in the security system have surfaced questioning the alertness of the security agencies. "This has been brought to the notice of Dargah Committee which administers the affairs at the shrine. However, they never took cognizance of the seriousness of the matter," Syed Zulfiqar Chisthi, president of Gharieb Nawaz Sufi Mission Soceity, said.

Dargah nazim Abdul Majid and dargah committee president Sohail Ahmed could not be reached for comments. Questions have been raised on the nazim's appointment which is allegedly not in accordance with the bylaws of The Dargah Act, 1955.

The Union home ministry report suggested that a complete ban should be put on allowing mobile phones, match boxes, shoes and inflammable items inside the dargah building. A little over 100 police personnel are deployed around the dargah for security. The report termed it "insufficent to monitor the activities of thousands of devotees entering the dargah premises from different gates. There should be a considerable increase in the deployment of police personnel and emergency response teams," a source said.