On the morning of May 4, the body of an unidentified woman was found with her throat slit at the park. The incident has left residents shaken, and they are now demanding better upkeep from HUDA.
On the morning of May 4, the body of an unidentified woman was found with her throat slit at Tau Devi Lal park in Sector 22, Gurgaon. The incident has left residents in the spell of fear, and they are scared to visit the park.
They are now demanding better upkeep of the park from HUDA.
Residents alleged that HUDA has failed to improve security and lighting in the park, giving miscreants a free run in the 30-acre park.
There are two gates for entry and exit — one towards Sector 22 and the other towards Sector 23. The park was initially fenced with enclosures and boundary walls, but now the walls are damaged at various places. After sunset, the park becomes unsafe for visitors.
“We have stopped our morning walks in the park after we saw the dead woman there. We did not expect something like this to happen at such a well-known park,” said Major (retd) SN Yadav, a resident of Sector 21.
A gardener on duty confessed, “We try our best to stop entry after sunset but people start arguing and misbehaving with us. We cannot stop entry of hooligans as boundary walls are broken at places.”
The residents of adjoining localities such as Sector 21, 22, 23, Dundahera, Mulahera, Palam Vihar and others visit the park for fresh air.
“Devi Lal Park was inaugurated by former chief minister Haryana Om Prakash Chautala in 2001-02. It is the lungs of the city catering to HUDA Sectors 1-23 and hundreds of other localities,” said Bhim Singh, a resident of Sector 22.
He even wrote to HUDA, horticulture department, several times to improve security, but nothing came of it.
Hundreds of residents, who are regular visitors in early morning hours, have now changed their timings.
“We used to come here at about 4.30 am, well before sunrise when the park is still dark. But after this incident, we have changed our timings,” said an elderly, requesting anonymity.
HUDA administrator Chander Shekhar Khare said, “I will inspect the park and initiate appropriate action. We will improve the upkeep — that’s a promise.”
