Srinagar: Much annoyance to common people, the main gate of the Pratap Park located in the heart of the Srinagar city is locked from past several days. Floriculture Department says it locked the main gate to stop people from protesting there.
Pratap Park that was officially thrown open for public in 2016 June was renovated after hit by devastating September 2014 floods under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.
This Park which adds to the beauty of the heart of Srinagar has become a favourite place for all the protesters who assemble there to attract the attention of the government. “Though for registering your protest, there is Press Enclave opposite to Pratap Park, yet the protesters enter into this beautiful piece of land and disfigure its beauty. It is the responsibility of all the citizens to maintain this park,” said a trader.
From past week, the protesting employees working in J&K rural development department under centrally sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been camping in the park as a result authorities have locked its main gate. People especially visiting city from far flung areas are unable to spend their spared time in the park these days. “Why to make common people suffer. Either government should persuade protesters to protest at other place or it should redress their grievances,” said a pedestrian.
Director Floriculture Muhammad Hussain Mir told CNS that they have locked the gate of the park to save it’s beauty from getting disfigured by the protesters. “Authorities also told us to lock the gates. We are forced to lock the gate as we can’t deal with the protesters. The Department has repeatedly clarified to District Magistrate Srinagar that it has neither allowed nor will allow anyone in future to stage protest inside the Park,” Mir said and impressed upon visitors to safeguard the Park.
