Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has ordered the immediate removal of 47 private security personnel deployed without its authorisation at the protected Udayagiri Buddhist site, enforcing its exclusive control over security arrangements at the heritage complex.
ASI Superintending Archaeologist Milan Chawale, accompanied by senior officials, inspected the site recently and directed the personnel engaged by private agency Kalinga Warrior to vacate the premises.
The crackdown followed allegations that the agency’s personnel had forcibly removed two ASI security guards from the complex Thursday night.
Chawale said only the ASI was authorised to deploy security personnel in the protected areas of Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Langudi.
No outside private agency could station guards at these sites without complying with the prescribed rules, he said, adding that Udayagiri required only a few sanitation workers.
The unauthorised deployment had triggered protests by local villagers and the Majhipada sarpanch after the private agency initially proposed engaging 30 personnel August 31.
The agitation at the entrance to Udayagiri was withdrawn following intervention by the Badachana block development officer and Darpan tehsildar.
The controversy resurfaced after the agency replaced the original list with 47 new personnel, sparking tensions among local residents over the selection.
The ASI said temporary contractual workers could be engaged, if required, only after obtaining formal approval from the department.
The site currently has three permanent and five temporary employees, besides six security personnel, working under the ASI.
