Dehradun: The image of Dehradun as a peaceful and secure city has got a beating—and residents have had enough.
In a strong letter shot off to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, over 100 members of the Dehradun Citizens Forum (DCF) have raised serious concern over a sharp slide in law and order, pointing to ransom threats, murders, road rage, gang rivalries and outright goondaism.
The citizens’ demand is clear: social harmony in Dehradun is being vitiated, and the police appear clueless as crime grows more brazen by the day.
What was once a laid-back valley town is now seeing frequent violent flare-ups, with residents saying fear, anxiety and uncertainty have replaced the sense of safety they once took for granted.
At the heart of the outrage is the shocking death of Brigadier (Retd.) M.K. Joshi, killed by a stray bullet during a high-speed chase between criminal groups on March 30.
The incident has become a grim symbol of how unchecked crime is spilling onto public roads, putting ordinary lives at risk. Citizens say this is not an isolated घटना but part of a disturbing pattern playing out across the city.
The forum has pointed to glaring gaps in policing and enforcement—weak patrolling, poor surveillance, and a collapse of deterrence.
Nightlife spots, including bars and pubs, have also come under scrutiny, with allegations that many are flouting norms and turning into flashpoints for fights, substance abuse and violent clashes.
In their appeal, DCF members have demanded immediate, tough action—stronger night patrolling, more boots on the ground in sensitive areas, better CCTV monitoring, strict traffic enforcement, and zero tolerance for illegal arms.
They have also called for fast-tracking criminal cases and clearer communication from authorities to restore public trust.
Signatories to the petition include prominent residents like Jagmohan Mendiratta, Anoop Nautiyal, Bharti Jain, Ramana Kumar and Retu Chatterjee, among others, reflecting a wide cross-section of concerned citizens coming together in a rare show of unity.
Representing a wider network of over 500 residents, the forum has warned that if urgent steps are not taken, Dehradun risks losing its identity as a peaceful and livable city.
The signatories—ranging from professionals to senior citizens—have sent a clear signal that patience is running out and the government must act before things spiral further.
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