Ganeshotsav 2012: Pune police to have their own ‘bouncers’

In a unique gesture, some 50 wrestlers have volunteered to help the Pune police during the 10-day Ganeshotsav. Besides, 200 other sportspersons, including athletes and karate players, have also come forward to help.

Kabaddi player and Arjuna award winner Shantaram Jadav and sports coordinator Prahlad Sawant are coordinating between the sportspersons and the police.

Sawant said, “The concept is the brainchild of police commissioner Gulabrao Pol, who approached us and sought help from sportspersons to control the crowd during the festival. We agreed to cooperate and within a day some 200 sportsmen and coaches volunteered to help the police. This is a good initiative and will no doubt yield results as normally sportsmen are very sensitive. Besides, they have a habit of working in teams and possess a social bonding which makes them stand out.”

He said, “We have asked them to coordinate with the local police stations and start patrolling. The sportspersons have also been given a brief training by Pol.”

Kaka Pawar (40), also an Arjun awardee and a 10-time national wrestling champion, told DNA, “Today, I will be patrolling in Ambegoan area. I work as a clerk with the Indian Railways for four hours in the morning and I can dedicate my evenings to help the police. We have been asked to keep an eye on pick pockets, chain snatchers, eve-teasers and any suspicious person. In case we notice something, we are told to alert the police.”

Wrestler Rahul Kalbor (34), a Shiv Chhatrapati awardee, is posted in Hadapsar area. He said, “I cherished the dream of joining the police force. Today, I feel my dream has come true. I have been assigned to monitor crowd in Wanavdi, Hadapsar and Loni Kalbhor areas. We have been asked to work from 6 pm till late in the night along with policemen and handle the crowd.”

It may be noted that former police commissioner DN Jadhav has been closely associated with various sports bodies.