“Though no specific written notice had been issued to schools, we communicated the proposal through newspapers. Residents need to take written permission from the Education Department to use the playground after school hours. There is a condition, though— they are required to vacate the premises before sunset and have to take the responsibility for any damage caused by the children,” said Director Public Instructions(S) S K Setia.

Said a school principal on condition of anonymity, “We had allowed residents to use the school playground but we were forced to close the gates after we found a few window panes broken and other damages to school property. When the chowkidar stopped the children from entering the school premises, he was beaten up”.

The issue was reportedly resolved after a meeting of the school authorities was called with the local residents.

A similar incident was narrated to Newsline by a government school principal. “When the school chowkidar stopped the children from entering the school premises because they had damaged the school garden and one of the basketball poles, the children argued with him and got into a scuffle. At present the children are quite busy due to their exams but the situation will get worse once exams are over,” said the principal.

Residents, meanwhile, say they had proposed to deposit some cash as security for the damages caused by children but the principal refused to accept it. “We are left with no place to play now,” says a group of children in Sector 44.