Heavy security on famous Chandigarh street upsets youth

CHANDIGARH - Elaborate security arrangements at the famous Geri Route, a street frequented by young couples here, has played spoilsport this Valentine’s Day Sunday with the youngsters complaining of “excessive police force”.

There was heavy presence of policemen, barricades and check posts on the three km stretch of Geri Route covering Sectors 9, 10 and 11. Nearly a dozen educational institutions are located on this road.

The youngsters were upset with this unprecedented police cover. “I don’t know what is the reason behind deploying such a huge force on Geri Route. We are living in a civilised society and we are not criminals, it is quite illogical,” Kiran Sharma, a young executive in a private bank, told IANS.

Atul Malhotra, a management student, said: “Excessive police force on Geri Route has spoiled the fun of the day. Especially youngsters are facing big problem as police are stopping all the vehicles driven by them to check the papers of the vehicles.”

The street was christened Geri Route many years back with youngsters zipping around on motorbikes and swanky cars.

“We cannot take any chance on this day as we have special instructions from our seniors. We are keeping an eye on unruly youths and any suspected anti-social element,” said a cop deployed at Geri Route.

Also, elaborate security arrangements were made all across the city mainly hotels, restaurants and discotheques.

To escape the eyes of Chandigarh police, many youngsters planned uphill trips to Kasauli, Dharampur and Timber Trail, located on the periphery of this union territory.

“This is my first Valentine’s Day after my marriage and I do not want Chandigarh police to play spoilsport. So I am moving to Timber Trail to enjoy my day with my wife,” entrepreneur Puneet Bhalla told IANS.

Vibha Jain, a school teacher, said: “It is a great coincidence that this year Valentine’s Day is on Sunday. We have planned a quick trip to Kasauli hills to celebrate this day with our friends.”