Nearly 125 police personnel were rushed to the spot after people pelted civic officials with stones following the demolition of an unauthorised structure at Anand Nagar in Ramtekadi; one person arrested for instigating the mob
Tension prevailed for few hours in Wanawadi area after civicofficials demolished an illegally constructed structure — madrasa — at Anand Nagar in Ramtekadi yesterday. After the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials had razed nearly 90 per cent of the illegal structure, an unruly mob of nearly thousand people arrived at the spot and resorted to stone pelting in protest of the action being undertaken.
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Deputy commissioner Sukumar Patil, of Kondhwa-Wanawadi ward office, sustained a minor injury, while a few PMC security staff was also injured in the incident. A PMPML bus and three vehicles belonging to the civic body were also damaged in the disturbance.
Following which a heavy police force was deployed in the area with a view to prevent any further outbreak of violence. A few hours later, the situation was brought under control after residents from the area were taken into confidence.u00a0
running amok: Cops were rushed to the spot to prevent any further violence after a mob protesting against a madrasa demolition turned violent yesterday; (above) the mob also damaged a PMPML bus. Pics/Krunal Gosavi
“We conducted a meeting with the local residents and informed them about the legal action. The issue has been resolved and situation is under control,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of PMC’s anti-encroachment department.
“After the incident, 125 police personnel were deployed in the area. We also conducted a meeting with the local residents. One person has been arrested on charges of instigating the mob. The situation is now under control,” said Manoj Patil, DCP, zone-IV.
Cause for tension
44 civic staff from the anti-encroachment department had arrived in the morning to take action against the illegal structure at survey number 110. PMC officials said the ‘madarsa’ constructed by Bashir Fayyaudin Shaikh was illegal, and he had been intimated about it. “The structure had occupied 400 sq-ft and was illegal. We had sent a notice, along with a letter from the police, a month ago.
The demolition was almost complete when all of a sudden a mob of more than thousand people gathered at the spot and started pelting stones at us. Ward officer Patil and few PMC security personnel were injured during the incident. They were taken to a local hospital in Wanawadi,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of the anti-encroachment department.
“The stone hit Patil on the head. Doctors said he is out of danger. Other employees who sustained injuries were discharged after seeking medical treatment,” said a PMC employee who was present at the spot during the disturbance. The mob then vented their anger by stoning the vehicles belonging to the anti- encroachment cell, also ransacking a PMPML bus and three other vehicles of the civic body.
Hasty decision
“After receiving the demolition notice, residents had approached the PMC and were pursuing issue. But, during the process PMC took action. Efforts will be made to regularize that piece of land where the structure was built. The issue will, however, be resolved by legal ways,” said Abhijit Shivarkar, former corporator of Wanawadi area. u00a0
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