'Unofficial curfew' reins in Gurgaon New Year celebrations

The imposition of an 'unofficial curfew' by Gurgaon police on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road Tuesday night threw a spanner in New Year celebrations this time around.

The police step was taken keeping in mind a molestation case on the 2011 New Year's eve.

The 'Millennium City', as Gurgaon is known, is a popular destination for party-goers with its numerous pubs and clubs, mostly on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road.

Police placed a vehicle ban on a part of the road from IFFCO Chowk to Sikanderpur Metro station.

Even the two-wheelers of mediapersons and photographers were not allowed to enter the nearly two-km-long stretch of the road.

"The decision to block the stretch was made after a series of meetings conducted by traffic police officers with RWA (Residents Welfare Association) heads and commercial space owners," a senior police officer told IANS.

Only people living in colonies were allowed to access the road, but with special passes issued by the police station concerned.

Party-goers were forced to park their vehicles in the Leisure Valley park of sector 29, more than 1.5 km from most pubs and bars.

"The police had announced that feeder buses from parking place to pubs would be available but these were few in numbers," said an official with the electricity department of Haryana.

"Hooliganism must be checked but what is the meaning of imposing 'unofficial curfew' in the area," party-goers Sachin Yadav and his friend asked IANS.

The district magistrate had issued an order Monday that no pub or bar would stay open past midnight, but policemen, both uniformed and in civil dresses, forced merry makers to leave well before the time limit.

"It was almost curfew-like situation with too many bans from the police and the district administration," said a woman who did not wish to be named.

Mall managements were instructed to ensure stringent checks at entry and exit points.

The public had a tough time approaching malls as they had to take detours to reach their destination. "This was a ploy to keep us away from malls," a resident complained.