Pune MPSC Protest Day 7: Heavy Police Deployment as Rohit Pawar Warns of Pune Bandh
Pune MPSC Protest Day 7: Heavy Police Deployment as Rohit Pawar Warns of Pune Bandh
Pune MPSC protest enters Day 7 as police deploy heavily near S.M. Joshi Bridge. Rohit Pawar warns of a Pune bandh over the chairman’s resignation demand.
Pune: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants’ protest in Pune entered its seventh day on Wednesday, with police significantly increasing security around the main protest site near the S.M. Joshi Bridge.
A large police contingent, including senior officers, was deployed at the location amid concerns that protesters could move outside the designated agitation area. Multiple police vehicles were also stationed near the protest site as authorities monitored the situation.
The increased deployment came a day after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who has been supporting the protesting aspirants, warned that a Pune bandh could be called if the government fails to act on their demand within 48 hours. Pawar has been demanding the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The protesters have been seeking action over alleged examination irregularities and demanding greater transparency in the commission’s functioning. Their demands also include action concerning recruitment vacancies and changes to examination procedures.
Pune Police have maintained that the continuing agitation is unauthorised. Earlier, police issued notices to 51 students and 29 coaching-class and study-centre operators, warning that further legal action could follow if the demonstrations continued without permission. Police have also been collecting video evidence from the protest locations.
The agitation is taking place at multiple locations, including the S.M. Joshi Bridge area, Alka/Tilak Chowk and the Shastri Road-Ahilya Abhyasika area. Police have said they are closely monitoring the sites to prevent any law-and-order situation.
The situation became more tense on Wednesday after some protesters began moving towards the riverbed. Senior police officers, including the Additional Commissioner of Police and DCPs from Zone 1, Crime Branch and Special Branch, were present at the site. Police indicated that detention could be considered if protesters violated directions or moved beyond the permitted area.
Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation concerning protests being held on roads and public spaces in Pune is also before the Bombay High Court. The petition seeks a designated location for demonstrations to prevent traffic disruption and inconvenience to citizens.
The political dimension of the agitation has also grown, with leaders from different parties visiting or supporting the protesters. Raj Thackeray recently met the students, while Aaditya Thackeray and AAP MP Sanjay Singh have also visited the protest site.
The protest continues as students maintain their demand for action against the MPSC chairman and reforms in the examination and recruitment system. With police presence intensified and the possibility of further action being considered, the next few hours could prove significant for the course of the agitation.
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