Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has slapped a fine of Rs 15 lakh on the security agency that was manning the Kamatibaug park and its zoo. The decision was taken in wake of the deaths of the blackbucks due to stray dogs and the theft of a sandalwood tree.Six blackbucks had died in November last year after a stray dog entered their enclosure in the Kamatibaug zoo. Two other blackbucks had died subsequently too creating major embarrassment for the VMC. It had come to light that the security guard who was posted in the area where the enclosure was located was not present there.Even as fingers were being pointed at the lax security at the zoo and the garden, a sandalwood tree was stolen there. The tree was felled near the tiger’s enclosure in the zoo and the log was taken away by thieves.The civic body had slapped notices to the security agency following the incident and it was also decided to make several changes in the security set up inside the Kamatibaug park. Even the VMC had recently slapped a fine on the security agency.On being asked about the fines, security director of VMC, Dr Mangesh Jaiswal said that the civic body had slapped a fine of Rs 10 lakh for the blackbuck incident and another Rs 5 lakh for the sandalwood theft Jaiswal further said that the agency’s contract ends this month following which a new agency will take over.

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