Shilokhera residents protest lack of development

Gurugram: Residents of Shilokhera village in Gurugram on Monday staged a protest at the district mini secretariat against the administration's failure to revive the village pond, build a school and a community centre in the 11 acre panchayat land.

Of the 12 acre, construction has already started on one acre for a state-of-the-art BJP office.

Earlier, the villagers registerd their protest over the construction of the BJP office in the area but over time they relented over the proposed development.

Miffed at the approach of the public agencies that include HUDA and MCG, the villagers have been regularly holding panchayats and discussing their future course of action.

The village elders have stated categorically that they will not allow any private development in the 12-acre land.

The villagers have also demanded for the development of a water pond, a community centre and a temple as was promised to them.

"It is sad that we have to register our protest against the agencies which have not lived up to their promises. Today, our land is being used for benefitting someone else. Even after we were promised that a community centre will be developed for the villagers, no action has been taken by the agencies in this regard," said Mukesh Sharma.

"Taking into consideration the falling water table in the area, we were promised that a pond will be developed in the area. Yet, the promise is not being fulfilled. Today, most of the villagers feel cheated by the authorities," he further said.