Battle half won: Resident bodies cheer action against MG road nightclubs

Gurugram: The state government on Sunday evening finally took an extreme step when it cancelled the licences of 12 pubs and bars on MG road. Resident bodies claim that this is still a battle half won and for a road that has become notorious for its prostitution and drug pedalling, a lot more needs to be done by the authorities to curb the crime. The residents who claim that their fight against the errant pubs and bars have been going for more than two years has not ended and this victory is just a tip of an iceberg.

Alleging a bigger nexus, the resident bodies have claimed that such crimes from MG road have extended from other areas like Cybercity, Golf Course Road and Golf Course extension road. "MG road is an area where a lot of call girls including foreigners used to roam freely. It was not difficult for them to distinguish from other women. They used to select their clients and then solicit them to the illegal guesthouse that is in plenty in Gurugram," said Ranveer Singh, the resident of DLF Phase-2.

"In the last few years the situation has worsened to such an extent that these women were allowed in the pubs and bars where they not only used to indulge in flesh trade but also act as agents of selling drugs, betting and even illegal weapons," he added

Taking cognisance of the host of illegal activities that are taking place in the pubs and bars of the city, the Gurugram police commissioner KK Rao has already issued various controversial directives. Some of these instructions include restricting the entry of women to the pubs and bars and having a closing time of 12 am for all the nightclubs.

Also present in the protests on Sunday evening was Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh who also issued the warning to the pubs of not allowing the underage drinking to take place in their premises. "After repeated complaints, we have finally taken action against certain pubs and bars and cancelled their NoCs. There have been reports of a lot of pubs and bars also allowing underage to drink within their premises. This will not be allowed to happen and we will take strict action," said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vinay Pratap Singh.

While the residents have expressed their elation over the step taken by the authorities, a lot of owners and the employees have alleged witch-hunt against them. Sensing the prospect of unemployment, a lot of employees also held a protest march claiming that they have been victimised and harassed by the Gurugram police.