If Army personnel are worried about security, why are some civilians allowed?: Secunderabad Cantonment residents

HYDERABAD: The Golf Course inside Secunderabad Cantonment, an area that has been restricted for thoroughfare, has as many as 850 permanent members who are civilians. They visit the place every day to practice their favourite sport. However, the road along with 13 others still remain closed to civilians for commute. Residents fighting for access to these roads say this shows the hypocrisy of the army. “Why are civilians who are members of golf course allowed inside every day if army finds civilian movements to be a threat?” Under the Unit Line, there are as many as 9 grounds which are used by army for training and drills. 

Three grounds were merged with the present day golf course a few years ago, and it’s now spread across a whopping 200 acres. The golf course land which belonged to Defence Estates was taken on lease by the Secunderabad club, and the lease period ended in 1983. Since then, the local military authority (LMA) is the custodian of the golf course land. 

In 2014, 11 roads inside the golf course area were closed and permanent barricades and walls were constructed. These roads were till then used by hundreds of civilians everyday. Inconvenienced by the Army’s move, these civilians have been seeking a reopening of these roads. 

Speaking to Express, S Chandrasekhar, spokeperson of OSCAR (Open Secunderabad Cantonment All Roads) said, “It is quite unfortunate that the civilians are harassed even after MOD has given a clear orders to reopen all roads in all cantonment area. The army personnel inside the Secunderabad Cantonment are clearly unhappy with the MoD directive to reopen the roads to civilians.”