Cutting across different sections of society, residents of Malkajgiri municipal circle gathered near Safilguda Railway Station on Sunday to protest against the Army’s decision to place restrictions on the roads passing through AOC Centre from February 25. Residents urged the Army to consider their plight before enforcing the restrictions.
“We have been using this road daily for decades to reach our offices . By cordoning off these stretches, the Army is forcing us to take longer detours amidst cluttered roads,” P. Sai Kumar, a resident of Dayanand Nagar, said.
Discounting the security angle projected by Army authorities behind the proposed restrictions, M.V. Rangachary from Safilguda pointed out that civilian traffic has been allowed through the defence campuses even in troubled areas.
B.T. Srinivasan from the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (UFERWAS) said the resident welfare associations would take up peaceful struggle. UFERWAS is organising a signature campaign soon. The residents are also contemplating to approach court. The association has also started a new Facebook group ‘AOC Centre Secunderabad: an appeal’ . “We have also requested Cyberabad Police Commissioner , GHMC Commissioner to meet army commanders and fix the problem,” Mr. Srinivasan said.
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