Itanagar Capital Region deputy commissioner Komkar Dulom on Sunday urged the youths of D Sector Naharlagun to take a pledge to safeguard the Mahatma Gandhi Park here and not to compromise even an inch of its land.
Popularly known as Polo Park, the Mahatma Gandhi Park is the lone recreational ground of the Naharlagun area.
Addressing a large number of youths on the sidelines of the drug-free campaign cum social service organized by the D Sector Youth Association (DSYA), Dolum said the Capital Region has turned into an urban jungle where there are more buildings than trees.
“Recreational grounds such as Polo Park that offer a sense of contentment to the people, who visit it seeking some respite from their busy schedule, should be maintained at any cost,” the Itanagar Capital Region DC said.
“Rather than depending on someone else for its maintenance and cleanliness, we should shoulder the responsibility to upkeep it,” the DC added.
Dolum also highlighted the Hamara Arunachal Abhiyan initiative of the state government under the leadership of home minister Bamang Felix and urged all, especially youths, to join the campaign which aims at making the Capital a safe, clean and serene place to live in.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the DSYA, the DC informed that the Capital police have already started regular patrolling at the park.
He informed that for the requirement of the street lights, a letter has been issued to the Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency director requesting for the same.
The DC also stressed the need to have a drug free society and urged the youths to carry out awareness on the nuisance of drugs and help their near and dear ones come out of it.
Medical Education, Training and Research additional director and also a senior citizen of D Sector, Dr Reto Doye recalled the earlier days when the park used to be a zoo and people used to come to visit it from places far.
He also urged the youths of the area to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of the park while and offering the support and cooperation of the residents.
One Prakash Ghimiray, who had been carrying out regular cleaning of the park for the last two months, expressed gratitude that many have joined hands to fulfill his dream.
Terming Polo Park as the face of Naharlagun, Ghimiray said one should not only try to keep the face clean but also the body which comprises of various sectors and colonies.
Government Middles School, D Sector headmistress Tadar Yaya requested the DC to look into the nuisance of mushrooming of vendors in front of the school and requested for a parking lot to be built there instead.
Circle officer Moyir Kato and Naharlagun police station officer-in-charge K Yangfo also spoke on the occasion.
The cleanliness drive was followed by a tree plantation.