CHANDIGARH: Low footfalls and zero policing are making green spaces a den of illicit activities in the city, making residents living nearby furious and showing the authorities in a negative light.
If you visit any park during morning or evening for a walk, do not be shocked to find people having beer or smoking marijuana or even taking drugs. A TOI team in a reality check conducted over a week found youngsters, especially school students in uniform, consuming drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol and doing drugs openly without any fear of law.
At parks in sectors 7, 8, 9 and even Leisure Valley, of youngsters coolly rolled joints and injected themselves with drugs while gulping alcohol, unmindful of people taking a stroll near them or showing any fear of cops catching them in the act. Such has been the takeover of parks that residents are changing their daily routine.
“We fear taking a walk in parks now. Youngsters are openly taking drugs and there is little check on them. Cops must take strict action against such illegal activities,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a retired Army officer and a resident of Sector 8. Similarly, another resident said, “We have informed the police control room and beat officer multiple times but to no avail. We fear these drug/alcohol users might invite some criminal activity in our neighborhood.”
Residents who share their boundary walls with parks said they daily spot youngsters taking drugs, including alcohol, on a routine basis, mostly during the afternoon hours.
When TOI asked these youngsters from where they procure drugs and liquor, they claimed they were easily available in the city and vend owners provide them booze without checking their identity cards. While the police are focused on catching people consuming liquor at public places, they hardly check parks, said a group of residents.
Vineet Kumar, superintendent of police (SP), said, “It is a matter of concern. A special team will be formed. I will ask all police station in-charges to conduct a mapping of all public parks. School students are vulnerable and will be counselled and their parents called while cases will be filed against adults for keeping drugs and alcohol.” He said residents can inform the police of such incidents by clicking pictures and lodging a complaint on e-Saatchi mobile application. The beat officer concerned will be informed and action taken immediately,” he said.
If you visit any park during morning or evening for a walk, do not be shocked to find people having beer or smoking marijuana or even taking drugs. A TOI team in a reality check conducted over a week found youngsters, especially school students in uniform, consuming drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol and doing drugs openly without any fear of law.
At parks in sectors 7, 8, 9 and even Leisure Valley, of youngsters coolly rolled joints and injected themselves with drugs while gulping alcohol, unmindful of people taking a stroll near them or showing any fear of cops catching them in the act. Such has been the takeover of parks that residents are changing their daily routine.
“We fear taking a walk in parks now. Youngsters are openly taking drugs and there is little check on them. Cops must take strict action against such illegal activities,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a retired Army officer and a resident of Sector 8. Similarly, another resident said, “We have informed the police control room and beat officer multiple times but to no avail. We fear these drug/alcohol users might invite some criminal activity in our neighborhood.”
Residents who share their boundary walls with parks said they daily spot youngsters taking drugs, including alcohol, on a routine basis, mostly during the afternoon hours.
When TOI asked these youngsters from where they procure drugs and liquor, they claimed they were easily available in the city and vend owners provide them booze without checking their identity cards. While the police are focused on catching people consuming liquor at public places, they hardly check parks, said a group of residents.
Vineet Kumar, superintendent of police (SP), said, “It is a matter of concern. A special team will be formed. I will ask all police station in-charges to conduct a mapping of all public parks. School students are vulnerable and will be counselled and their parents called while cases will be filed against adults for keeping drugs and alcohol.” He said residents can inform the police of such incidents by clicking pictures and lodging a complaint on e-Saatchi mobile application. The beat officer concerned will be informed and action taken immediately,” he said.
Get the app