Nizam Museum theft: Safety, security of our museums grossly neglected, say officials

Hyderabad: “The security of the museum will be upgraded and will be given top-class equipment as it houses the most valuables items from our history,” said the Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar.

The security and safety of museums is a broad subject and never received the due attention it required, he added.

“The security measures at places housing such priceless items and artefacts should be given top-level security and should have sensors, burglar alarms and trained security staff. Though Museums Association of India had organised a conference as late as in the 1977s on the subject of ‘Security in Museums’ at Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad itself, no measure was taken to beef up the security at the Nizam museum at Purani Haveli,” said an official who wished to remain anonymous.

The security in the Nizam museum was handled by a private security agency identified as the G9 security services Pvt Ltd, which has three men guarding only the entrances during the day and five men doing the same during the night.

The timings for visitors there are from 10 am to 5 pm. The security head, Mr Rizvi, leaves around the closing time, leaving three guards and one supervisor behind.

The Additional Commissioner of Police of Crimes & SIT, Shikha Goel IPS, from Hyderabad Police visited the place on the next day after the offence and said that the place will be upgraded and all the necessary security measures will be taken.

The Nizam's Museum exhibits a collection of mementos, models and formal declarations presented to Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh and last Nizam of the princely state of Hyderabad. Models of different buildings, presents from various kings, daggers, swords, silver models etc are also displayed along with the famous Mahbub Ali Khan's wardrobe.