Joggers halted by army men
Runners at Mornington Road told to keep off from the defence areas
“Wapas jao” (go back) is what hundreds of walkers and runners are being told by Army jawans, who have no other explanation for it, except that they have orders from their seniors.
The men in uniform shoo away people every day before 7 am especially at the Mornington Road and Shiva temple, Safilguda, of the AOC. There is no official order to stop civilians entering the AOC during the restriction hour.
The team of ‘Challenge — 21 kms for 21 days Run,’ was stopped at Mornington Cemetry Road on Saturday morning (at around 6am). Incidentally, one of the team members was a retired defence officer whose word helped and the team was allowed to proceed.
Mr Sandeep Raj, a regular runner at AOC, said, “We are stopped everyday especially at Wellington Road. One jawan told me I should be over 40 years to walk in AOC which is baseless. They regularly ask for ID proofs. Many walkers find it tough to negotiate with the jawans and return helplessly. This has also discouraged fitness groups from planning a run in the AOC area. The checking has turned severe since November, as the Gough closure deadline was close. A barrier has been set up on the road opposite Karkhana RTA office.’’
The restriction is at four gates, Allahabad (East Marredpally), Wellington (West Marredpally), Safilguda railway and Gough Road (from Harmony circle).
Mr Sudhakar Samuel, a trainer for runners added, “There are hundreds of runners around Trimulgherry and Karkhana who prefer to take the AOC roads. Except for using the road, the runners don’t interfere with the army men or their establishment. No harm is caused by us. We don’t use the interior defence road. The route leading to Golf Club Road too, has been blocked permanently.”
The ministry of Defence on November 29, 2016, had issued an order, directing the Local Military Authority (LMA) to extend the closure of Gough Road for another six months (May 2017) till alternative roads are in place. However, the restriction during night hours will continue, that is from 10.00 pm to 7 am, all days.
The LMA had earlier informed that there was no restriction on morning walkers or runners entering the area without vehicles, before 7 am. The jawans questioning public is part of regular security check.