Residents wary amid spate of crime in city
NEW DELHI: Residents held a protest on Monday in Adarsh Nagar, where a 25-year-old woman was murdered by a snatcher just metres away from her house even as she held her two-year-old daughter in her arms, complaining about rising crime in the area on a day when the Capital recorded at least four murders, one molestation case, and a shoot-out.
The spurt in crimes has renewed calls by some citizens groups for enhanced police patrolling, action against organised gangs, and establishment of police posts at key locations to make the people feel safe.
General secretary of the Adarsh Nagar Green residents’ welfare association, SN Singhal, said, “The residents are shocked at how criminals are attacking people in front of their house.”
DCP (northwest) Usha Rangnani said they were planning to intensify police patrolling in the area, especially at night.
NOIDA: Residents of sectors 76, 77 and 78, among some others have demanded that the Noida authority develop a dense forest along an internal road in the area.
“We have submitted a letter to the Noida authority demanding a dense forest in our neighbourhood. We have also put forth our demands before top officials of the authority,” said Amit Gupta, a member of the Progressive Community Foundation — a social group formed by the residents of Noida sectors 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and others.
There are dozens of group housing societies in these sectors. Each sector is home to several high-rise societies. But they are yet to have access to adequate green areas . Residents said in addition, the land along the internal roads is yet to be developed.
“If the land along the internal roads does not see development then many people will set up shops illegally and start operating in an unauthorised manner, causing civic issues. But if the authority develops a forest on the vacant land, it will not only help protect the environment but also benefit the residents,” said Amita Singh, a resident of Noida Sector 76.
According to residents, around 69 acres of land is vacant along the internal road in sectors 76-77. “We have received a proposal from the residents in this matter. We have assured them that the authority will develop a dense forest on the 69 acres of land located along internal road in sectors 76-77, among other areas,” said Indu Prakash Singh, officer on special duty (OSD), Noida authority, who also heads the horticulture department.
The authority officials said the 69 acres of land is earmarked for a green belt.
“Since this land is meant for a green belt, we can easily develop a dense forest on this land. There is some land dispute on around 2-3 acres and the authority is about to resolve the issues. Once the issues are resolved, we will plant saplings on 69 acres and in next 2-3 years dense forest will be fully developed,” said the OSD.