Ground waterlogged, cops keep an eye; only few turn up for namaz at Noida park

Days after authorities declared a Noida park prohibited for "unauthorised" religious gatherings, only a dozen people turned up there for the Friday 'namaaz' and found parts of the ground waterlogged and police keeping a vigil.

Two weeks ago, Noida police issued orders stating that Friday prayers cannot be held at the government plot as there was no requisite permission. They cited a 2009 Supreme Court order and said there is a clear ban on unauthorised use of public places for religious activities.

The local authorities had watered the park, which served as a venue for collective Friday namaaz for the past a few years and where hundreds used to turn up every week.

Those who came for namaaz but could not offer prayers expressed disappointment, claiming it was only during the previous and this Friday that water was released into the park.

A Noida Authority official said parks are watered by maintenance contractors and they decide when to do it. "The maintenance of the parks is looked after by contractors. They decide when to water it, trim the grass or clean it," the official, who did not wish to be named, told PTI.

Scores of personnel, including from Sector 58 and nearby police stations and the Provincial Armed Constabulary, were deployed in and around the park.

A fire tender was also stationed outside it.

Adil Rashid, one of the organisers of the Friday prayers at the park since 2013, Thursday urged Muslims not to go to the park, saying the administration has denied permission for religious gatherings there.

Cleric Noman Akhtar, who had led the prayers for several years, also did not turn up.

Mohd Mushtaq Khan, who works at a private company in the adjoining Sector 59 of the city and turned up for the namaaz, said he had been coming to the park for over five years now.

"There is no other space where we can go. I come at 1.30pm and the namaaz is offered by 2pm."