Police Check Things Out in the Sector
On the 28 Dec afternoon, the RWCS President Govind Sharma posted a message on groups stating that ACP Verma, along with the SHO and other staff, would visit the sector at 6 PM to listen to the issues. Given that it was a working day and with only a few hours’ notice, barely half a dozen residents turned up for the meeting. Mr Sharma explained that ACP Verma had called up all of a sudden, expressing a desire to visit the sector.
ACP Verma was accompanied by Manoj Singh (SHO Sector 20) and Mr Amit (Sec 26 Chauki Incharge) and three other officers, including a female police officer. As soon as he walked in, he expressed surprise at the F&B arrangements, saying that they were not needed and that he wanted to know the problems of the residents. He stated unequivocally that the new IPS Laxmi Singh (who is posted as Police Commissioner Gautam Buddh Nagar) has directed them to meet the residents of 2-3 residential colonies on a daily basis. He surprised everyone by saying at the onset that he had heard that Jaipuria Plaza was causing law and order issues and wanted to know if residents wanted any unlicensed vendors removed from the sector. This surprise was enhanced when ACP Verma kept saying he was more interested in walking and talking than sitting and having tea.
An open discussion was held and the issues that were raised were primarily about security, parking, and traffic nuisance.
Regarding parking, a suggestion was made to tow away vehicles from outside the two hospitals and also convert the empty plot next to NS Public School as a temporary parking lot for visitors’ cars. Issues about noise disturbance due to incessant honking were also raised, and ACP Verma suggested stationing a policeman to deter this. The matter of a cut on the peripheral road near Gate 11 was also discussed, which ACP Verma said would have to be coordinated with traffic police and gently suggested be overlooked.
Even as issues were being discussed, ACP Verma stood up all of a sudden and asked everyone to join him in walking around the sector and reviewing things first hand right then and there. The entire congregation first went to Jaipuria Plaza and then proceeded to check out the other blocks of the sector.
The result of this visit was immediately seen as the police locked the entry gates of Jaipuria Plaza from within the sector. This led to an uproar from residents, shopkeepers, maids, et al., as one would have to use Gate 14 to go to the main road or enter Jaipuria Plaza. Keeping this in mind, the wicket gate at Gate 1 has been opened from 7 am to 8pm and a guard is seen patrolling the lane now.
The shopkeepers at Jaipuria Plaza are unhappy with this move, and some are saying that while they understand that the popularity of the market may have inconvenienced the nearby residents, law and order is a police problem for which the shopkeepers are being penalised. They also feel that the gates may be opened again after a month or so, on the demand of the residents, just like it has happened in the past.
From what one gathers from the visit of ACP Verma, the sector will be seeing major changes in security, parking, and other law and order issues in the coming weeks.
