New Delhi: Protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have started troubling senior citizens living in Delhi’s Munirka Vihar, not for the noise or traffic but strangers knocking on their doors to use the toilet . Local residents said that due to the lack of public convenience booths in the area, people are also defecating in the open, which is causing foul smell in the entire area, claiming that they have approached the authorities on several occasions but to no avail.
The Senior Citizens Forum of the locality has now wrote to the prime minister Narendra Modi highlighted the issue by demanding setting up of Jan Suvidha booths to avoid open defecation on Bada Gangnath Marg near Rock Garden in Munirka and installation of CCTV cameras for security reasons.
In the letter dated December 12, 2022, the forum noted that the DDA flats in Munirka Vihar were mostly allotted to central government employees in 1977 and most of the residents are now senior citizens.
Locals claimed that the situation worsened during the protests at the university, which is located right opposite Munirka Vihar.
Since there is no public convenience booth, policemen and media persons Those posted outside the university often knock on the doors of people living there, while some defecate in the open, he alleged, adding that residents are also concerned about the health impact of open defecation.
Speaking to PTI, Forum member PN Malhotra said that the issue was raised several times but nothing was ever done to resolve it.
Due to non-availability of convenient booths, women policemen and media persons have to face a lot of difficulties. He said, “Men can defecate in the open. I want to emphasize that this is also wrong. But when there is no other option, they can. But for hours women journalists posted outside the university have There is no option but to knock on our door.” ,
Malhotra said, “We try to help them, but we also feel insecure because the security situation outside is not very good. It is necessary to install CCTV cameras and make facilitation booths in the area.”
Another resident, KC Pathak, also highlighted the issue and said that a well-maintained public convenience booth for police personnel and media persons should be built outside the JNU gate as protests often continue for several days.
Apart from this, this facility will also come in use of the passers-by as there is no other public convenience booth in the area, he said.
Protests and deployment of police personnel have become a common occurrence in JNU, causing inconvenience to residents of the area, especially when traffic is diverted.
Emphasizing on the need for CCTV surveillance, resident Satwant Kaur said that it was much needed as many of the residents of the area are senior citizens and some even live alone.
“There is a danger of theft and burglary in their homes,” he said, adding that “CCTV surveillance will create fear in the minds of robbers.”
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Senior Citizens Forum wrote, “Our police force in Delhi works day and night to protect our deserving VIPs, senior citizens and residents of Delhi. Our police force deserves your appreciation and award of encouragement.” ” To boost their efficiency.
Other demands of the people of the locality like covering of open drains and verification of vendors have also been mentioned in the letter. It asked for “installation of a small LED screen in the police booth near D street gate of DDA flat, Munirka and 85 CCTV cameras in D, E, F and G blocks.”
Forum said, “There should be verification of vendors, domestic helps, car cleaners etc. in our colony. Marking for parking of cars in our colony to provide way for ambulance and fire tenders. Construction of broken wall in D street. ” letter.