#JusticeForMustafa Time for separation from Army? HYDERABAD: Voices demanding #JusticeForMustafa are growing louder by the hour. Civilians, especially those living around the guarded premises of the Mehdipatnam Garrison, are up in arms this time and are unwilling to let the gruesome death of an innocent child, allegedly set on fire by Army men, be taken lightly either by the police or the government authorities. They insist, theyve had enough. The Armys have-power-will-show attitude needs to end. They cannot resort to such unruly behaviour and torment civilians, rued Mustafa Sheikh (name changed), a resident of the area, recounting the large-scale destruction caused by Army personnel (from the same garrison) way back in 1999 when the Mehdipatnam Rythu Bazaar was set up. The Army was upset with this decision, for reasons best known to it, and decided to bulldoze the entire market causing severe losses to farmers. On other occasions too they have beaten up policemen and harassed common people for no fault of theirs. If this be the Armys attitude, it is best that its establishments are moved at least 20-25 kms away from the city, Sheikh added. The Mehdipatnam Garrison, historian Sajjad Shahid shares came into being close to the 19th century when the Hyderabad State raised the imperial service troops. Initially there were two regiments that were raised as part of this, one among them being the Hyderabad Lancer. The new regiments were located between Saifabad and Golconda. Apart from the forces, this area (the garrison, that is), even today, houses a lot of independent homes. In fact, until the Mehdipatnam-Rethi Bowli stretch was laid, the road running through the garrison, which now has gates on both sides, was the only route to Langar Houz, he said, hinting at a more harmonious past. Things clearly have turned hostile over time, thus leading to a section of the civilian population demanding a divorce from the Army. At a distance from Mehdipatnam, residents of A S Rao Nagar, Sainikpuri, along with Malkajgiri and Kapra municipal circles, are found airing similar reactions thick with anguish and distress. Tired of the multiple restrictions imposed on their movement by the Secunderabad Cantonment, spread over a massive expanse of about 40.17 square km, they feel it is time for the over 200-year-old establishment to clear its base from the heart of the city. Their argument: Secunderabad is no longer far removed from Hyderabad, as it was when it was set up by the British, and is instead only an extension of the latter. It thus, should be completely and equally accessible to all residents. They (Army men) started with raising towering compound walls in the area citing security reasons. Then last year they started blocking traffic (first between the Fountain and Trimulgherry and later up to Safilguda railway station) for a few hours during the day. Now, it has become a permanent arrangement. I wonder what has suddenly triggered such stringent measures. Does the Army think that all civilians are a threat now? asked Sainikpuri resident, K V Rama Rao complaining about the narrow and unsafe alternative route — from Shenoy Nursing Home to Safilguda railway station via Tukaram Gate and Hanumanpet — that has been offered to civilians by the cantonment. And while this unwarranted restriction already had residents fuming, the latest move by the Army to unceremoniously shut the Parade Ground doors on the citys morning walkers, has only added more fuel to the fire. Though it did issue an order, on Saturday, to reopen the ground for designated hours, civilians are left wondering just what led to the Army suddenly deciding to ban their entry into the open space. I dont know what their apprehensions were. After using the ground for 20-25 years, if you are suddenly told that you cant set foot inside it anymore, its sure to leave you frustrated. For all you know, the Army might decide to close it again, if it wishes, said businessman Mahendra Ranka, a resident of West Marredpally. Though agreeing that it would perhaps be best if the Army moved away from the city, he added, The infrastructure available in Secunderabad is massive. Also, given the way the city has expanded, the price of land has gone up tremendously. It is, therefore, highly unlikely for the forces to shift base. But whether it is a probability or not, this separation is clearly on the minds of many civilians.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 06:23:43 +0000
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