No safe place for picnickers this winter

RANCHI: As winter sets in, people here are all set to make the best use of the season with plans to party and go outdoors. With Christmas round the corner, Ranchiites are already in the mood for an extended holiday and it goes without saying that a picnic with friends and family is the ideal way to enjoy the chill under the mellow sun. However, most picnic spots in the city are no longer considered a safe haven for family outings as drunkards and petty criminals are often seen occupying the open spaces.
The famous Dhurwa dam, which is barely 15 kilometers away from the heart of city, is a scenic location and ideal for a daylong outing but in past few months the place has become a den for criminals and marijuana lovers, which makes it unfit for tourists or even the local residents.
Similar is the situation in places around the Kanke Dam, Tagore hill and other parks and tourist spots. Not just this, the city's famous waterfalls including Dassam, Jonha, Hundru, and Sita falls are not secure either.
Talking about security arrangements at these tourist spots before New Year, city SP Manoj Ratan Chouthe said on Tuesday, "We are aware of the situation. On Sunday we had called meeting with all police station in charge and asked them to conduct frequent raids at the vulnerable places. Also patrolling has been increased at these picnic spots. Legal actions will be taken against the guilty."
The residents of the city are in constant fear of being robbed and harassed at these places so they are have not been able to come up with outdoor plans yet. Kriti Chandra, a college goer said, "With the current scenario, I am planning to spend my new year elsewhere this time. First of all, the tourist spots in the city are not safe and secondly cleanliness has always been an issue."
Neeraj Singh, a senior citizen said, "I have an 18-year old daughter and I am very concerned about her safety. The city's waterfalls and parks are not safe anymore. I have seen goons consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana at these places. They misbehave with visitors there, especially women. So I can not even imagine going to any such place with my daughter."
In August this year, the tourism department of the state planned to deploy tourist guides under the banner Paryatak Mitra to ensure safety of the women tourists. Sajal Chakravarty, tourism secretary said, "Our plan will not only provide employment to the local people but will also ensure security of tourists at these places."
Even the Ranchi Municipal Corporation is planning to strengthen security at the parks run by it. Deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargiya said, "We have called for a meeting with some private agencies who wiould be handed over the responsibility of maintenance and security in the parks. Also we will conduct raids frequently in the picnics spots to make sure these places don't become a criminal hub. We are doing everything to assure safe environment for the visitors of the city parks."