Pune cops take preventive measures ahead of Bhima-Koregaon gathering

Taking lessons from the Bhima-Koregaon riots, which had taken place on January 1 this year, the police are not taking any chances this time. Considering that lakhs of people are expected to visit the victory pillar at Koregaon-Bhima on the first day of 2019, the Pune police have taken preventive action against 1,211 persons including right-wing activist Milind Ekbote.

The Pune rural police have served a notice under section 144 (2) Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to Ekbote, barring him from entering in the areas surrounding the victory pillar. Along with Ekbote, 64 persons have been served with the 144 (2) CrPC notice which includes members of Kabir Kala Manch.

Superintendent of police (Pune rural) Sandip Patil, said, "So far, we have taken preventive action against 1,211 persons. Out of these persons, 64 have been served the notices under CrPC 144 (2), barring them from entering into specific areas. We have also externed six persons from the district."

"Apart from that, we have also slapped a gang with Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). We have also taken action against six persons under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA)," Patil added.

The action has been taken in the backdrop of the riots between two communities at Bhima-Koregaon on January 1 this year when a large number of visitors had gathered at the victory pillar to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle. The battle had taken place between the Peshwas and the army of the British East India Company consisting of soldiers from the Dalit community.

This time, the police have intensified the intelligence gathering to keep watch on the anti-social elements that could create trouble at the event on January 1, 2019. Apart from the intelligence gathering, the police are also keeping a watch on social media to curb the rumors in connection with the event.

Special Inspector-General of Police, Kolhapur Range, Vishwas Nangare Patil said, "Unfortunately for the last one and half months, there were a lot of hate messages being circulated on the social media. Taking serious cognisance of these messages, we identified the persons who were spreading these hate messages and so far total 45 persons have faced action across the state for spreading hate messages. The positive thing is that the number of such messages has reduced drastically."

The police and the district administration are expecting around seven to ten lakhs of visitors from various parts of the state to visit the victory pillar on the first day of the new year and therefore, certain arrangements have been made by the administration in and around Bhima-Koregaon.

500 CCTV cameras have been installed around the pillar and sensitive places. 40 video cameras and 12 drone cameras will also be set up in the area.

Pune district collector Naval Kishore Ram said, "The local residents have faced huge losses due to the riots and they also do not want a repeat of it. We also have held a number of meetings with the villagers which has helped in confidence building among different communities. This time, the local villagers have also come forward to welcome the visitors."

AVOIDING RISKS

• Ekbote has been barred from entering the victory pillar area
   
• 64 people including members of Kabir Kala Manch have been served with the notice
   
• Patrolling has been intensified to keep a watch on anti-social elements