Srinagar locals protest against Army’s ‘forcible’ occupation of playing ground

SRINAGAR — Locals from Chattabal area of Srinagar city on Sunday staged a protest in Press Enclave, alleging that Army is trying to forcibly occupy a playground in the area.

The Chattabal locals said that from the past week, the Army is regularly visiting the playground and yesterday, they started fencing work.

“Where will our children go if the Army occupies this playground? It is the lone playfield that our children are using for recreation and sports activities,” the protesting locals said.

“I am 47-year-old and since my childhood, I have been playing in this ground. How can the Army forcibly occupy this ground? Nobody is listening to us, even district administration is mum over the development,” said one of the protesters.

The protesters said that the Army forcibly wants to occupy this ground. “Do they want our children to take drugs and are not happy with the sports activities in the area. We appeal to LG Manoj Sinha to kindly intervene and save this ground for the children and youth of the area,” they said.

The protesters raised slogans and said it is a really sorry state of affairs that the Army is occupying anything at will and there is no one to question them.