Mysore : City Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem, in a letter written to the Director of Palace Board on May 16, 2014, has urged Palace authorities to get rid of illegal shops around the parking lot near the Southern (Varaha) gate of the Palace citing that they were causing inconvenience to tourists.

Citing that protecting the Palace from terrorist activities was a primary concern for city Police, Dr. Saleem has said that these illegal shops provide easy access to miscreants involving in terror activities, which in turn, makes Palace a vulnerable target for terrorists who get an opportunity to enter the premises in the guise of businessmen, which needs to be addressed immediately before the majestic Palace falls a prey to such acts.

He also said that tourists including VIPs who throng the Palace in large numbers also face life-threats besides leaving them exposed to merciless pick pockets who leave no stone unturned to achieve their goals of robbing visitors of their cell phones, purses and needless to say cash.

Dr. Saleem has further said that city Police were prepared to give adequate protection to the officials of the Board while evicting illegal shops around Varaha gate.