Pune stone pelting riot victim battles for life

After witnessing tensed moments for almost a week, the life in riot affected pockets of Pune is coming back to normal, but the life of 40-year-old Vasant Rupnar has come to a standstill.

Runpar was hit by a stone, which was thrown hurled on a private bus, while he was travelling on May 31.The incident took place on late night on May 31, following the derogatory posts regarding Shivaji Maharaj and Bal Thackeray, violence had irrupted in parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

The stone pelting had started in Chinchwad, Bhosari areas and it spread in others parts including Hadapsar, Sinhagad Road, Yerawada and Kothrud.

Unknowing about the violence in Pune, Rupnar, had just boarded a bus at 10.30 pm from Andheri and was on his way to Pune. Nilesh Dhumal, Rupnar's friend said, " When the bus reached near Katraj, agitated mob stopped their bus at Katraj at 1 am and began stone pelting, seriously injuring a few passengers including Rupnar who was quickly taken to a private hospital on Sinhagad Road. As Rupnar's family is not financially strong to bear the medical expenses, he was first shifted Kashibai Navale hospital on the same night and later he was shifted to his native place in Solapur."

A week has passed since the incident, Rupnar is still critical and is battling for life in a civil hospital in Solapur. " We are waiting for the authorities to take some action against the culprits. Police officers from Bharati Vidyapeeth have paid a visit but there's no word about financial compensation," said Dhumal.A complaint has been lodged by a family member in Haveli police station.