The 30-odd State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel who have been putting up at the Gateway of India for the past few months after their deployment to protect the Taj Hotel, which had been attacked during 26/11, located opposite it, were shifted from the heritage monument on Thursday night, officials said.

Officials from Colaba police station removed the belongings of the jawans last night and they were given alternate accommodation at Colaba police station.

ACP Iqbal Shaikh (Colaba division) said, “We have moved the jawans from the place and they are now staying on the premises of Colaba police station.” An official from the police station said, “The jawans came here on Friday afternoon and have been here since. We do not know how long they will stay here.”

Pictures of the jawans sleeping at the Gateway of India were splashed in a section of the media inviting criticism for the government over the likelihood of the heritage structure getting damaged.