A neglected park in Bhubaneswar (file picture)

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 17: Parks in many colonies of Bhubaneswar have turned into dens of anti-socials.

On most evenings, the criminals can be seen spending hours in the parks making life miserable for the local residents.

However, because of fear of reprisal most people do not challenge these anti-socials.

One such park is the residential park in Brit Colony in Nayapalli. As the police do not patrol the colony anymore, the anti-socials find the park a safe haven.

“We do not feel secure anymore. Our daughters and daughter-in-laws have preferred to remain confined to their houses. Earlier, these anti-socials used to venture into the park in the evenings.

“These days, they frequent the park even in the afternoons,” said 74-year old Pramila Devi who resides in Brit Colony.

Empty alcohol bottles, opium, cigarette butts can be found lying in the parks.

“Huge bushes have come up inside the parks as Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has stopped maintaining them. Such unhygienic conditions have helped the anti-socials a lot. I no more allow my children to go to any of the parks,” said 38-year-old Sushama Nayak of Nayapalli.

The parks in other areas such as Indradahanu market and Chandrasekharpur are also facing similar problems.

Even the crime graph in the residential areas has seen a sharp rise.

Chain snatching and group clashes have become regular affairs.

In many cases, people are even scared to register cases in police stations.

Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Nitinjeet Singh said: “We have intensified the patrolling. If we come across any specific incident, we will certainly initiate action.”

The city has more than 50 parks, both big and small. Out of these, only five parks specific areas for children where kids below 12 years can play.

While the major parks are under the BDA, the smaller ones are managed by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.