Hyderabad: Biometric for Military Garrison Mehdipatnam entry

Hyderabad: In a move aimed at putting an end to the standoff between the army personnel and residents of Siddiqnagar, a neighbourhood located in Military Garrison Mehdipatnam, the military authorities will be installing a biometric system to identify the local residents.

At present, the army authorities have issued identity cards to the residents who have to show it while entering the Garrison area. 

Close to 100 families reside in Siddiqnagar located around 1.5 kilometers from the Mehdipatnam main road in the interiors of the Garrison compound. 

Earlier this month, tension erupted in the campus when a soldier allegedly assaulted a youngster after an argument which took place because he had entered the campus without an identity card. The army had stoutly denied manhandling the youngster.

Following the incident, a meeting was held between the local public representatives including Nampally MLA Jaffar Hussain Meraj, former Mayor Majid Hussain, Ahmednagar corporator Ayesha Rubeena and the army personnel.

“Residents often forget their identity cards and face problems while returning home. We suggested that the army should install biometric system so that finger prints or faces are recognised,” said Nampally MLA Jaffar Hussain Meraj.

It was suggested that the army authorities post, if possible, two women personnel to check ladies. For now only men are posted to guard the Mehdipatnam Garrison gate.

The army authorities maintain a list of contact numbers of local residents and whenever visitors drop in, they call them up and inform them. 

The locals then visit the place and keep some identity document with the army authorities and take it back when the relatives leave their place.

“We have asked the army authorities to allow relatives of the local families inside after verification,” Ms Ayesha Rubeena said.