Tired cops miffed with PMC's morning drive

Approximately 120 police personnel from Sahakar Nagar police station and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) were posted at the demolition drive, which was kick-started by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at Taljai Plateau yesterday morning.

Tired legs: 120 police personnel from Sahakar Nagar police station and an SRPF platoon were deployed for the drive. Pic/Krunal Gosavi

"We had requested the anti-encroachment cell not to carry out the demolition drive on Monday and wanted it postponed to Tuesday, as my officials and personnel were too tired to stand for bandobast duty. However, the civic authority went ahead with its plans," said Kamalkar Takwale, police inspector with Sahakarnagar police station.

Takwale further said, "As per PMC's request, we provided nearly 120 police personnel and officials. A SRPF platoon was also roped in for the security during the demolition drive, as there was a possibility of untoward incidents during the drive." Several police personnel, too, expressed displeasure stating that the civic body should have considered their concerns, as they [cops] had slogged during the immersion procession for almost two days.

Police who were stationed to give full security to officials of the anti-encroachment urged officials not to demolish more than three building in one area, as it may create law and order situation in the area.u00a0

After the tragic incident when Somnath building caved in on September 24, claiming 11 lives of labourers, including children and women, and injuring the same number of people, the civic authority had declared that illegal constructions would be demolished after the immersion of Lord Ganesha, as
cops were busy providing security during the Ganesh festivities.u00a0