RWA has banned children in Kendriya Vihar parks: Residents

GURUGRAM: At a time when parents are encouraging children to go out and play, a housing society in the city has restricted their entry in the parks. Residents say this move is not to protect children from the rising pollution levels but for the upkeep of the green areas.

In Kendriya Vihar group housing society, children are scared to play in the parks as security guards, instead of ensuring their safety and security, are being used by the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) to threaten children.

Vandana, mother of a nine-year-old boy, alleged that whenever her son goes to the park to play with his friends, the security guards stop them at the entrance.

“He is afraid of going to park now, he feels the security guards might beat him,” she alleged.

Nitin, a resident, said the security guards never turn up when the residents call them to shoo away monkeys or for some other help, but to restrict children from playing they are always on their toes.

Several parents also claimed that the RWA members show an indifferent attitude in matters that concern the children. “Only elders are allowed inside the parks whereas for the children the RWA has fenced the boundary to restrict their entry,” said a resident, who did not want to be named.

“It is very sad to see that children are not able to enjoy and play in the park. They are losing an essential part of their childhood. RWA should provide a safe and secure environment to residents, instead it is bullying the children and using foul language to shoo them away from the park,” said Mini Rastogi, a banker, who is also a resident of this society.

One of the guards, pleading anonymity, said there are strict instructions from the RWA office that children should not be allowed in parks. “If the RWA members spot children playing in parks, they complaint to our supervisor,” the security guard said.

SN Dwivedi, treasurer of Kendriya Vihar RWA, however denied the action and said no guards have been deployed in the parks and they are open for all the residents.

However, the residents alleged that the present RWA members are ineffective in running the society management as they have failed to check monkey menace, stray dog menace and other illegal activities going on inside the housing society.