Saamana Editorial Criticizes Rising Crime in Pune

(Saamana Editorial) An incident occurred where some people attacked students practicing for police recruitment on Taljai Hill in Pune city. In this context, criticism has been made in Saamana. It is stated in Saamana that, 'Considering the increasing crime in Pune, which proudly carries the title of the home of education and cultured Pune, the original identity of Pune seems to be disappearing, creating a frightening situation in the city. Due to the lack of control of the police over criminals and the home department over the police, Pune, which was once peaceful, has now become extremely restless. Incidents of murder, fights, rape, and extortion have created a terror of gangster groups in Pune. Criminal gangs have increased in various parts of the city, and in those areas, it is not the law but the criminals who rule. The lack of police control has increased the dominance of criminals, and due to political patronage, these gangs have become rampant. The recent incident on Taljai Hill in Pune is disgraceful for the Pune police. About 150 to 200 young men and women from the fitness academy come to Taljai Hill daily to practice for police recruitment. On Tuesday morning, as usual, about 50 to 60 wrestler gang members harassed the young women who came to practice on the hill. When the trainee boys and girls reached the practice ground, four gang members were already there. When the girls requested them to move aside and let them practice, they started pushing, shoving, and abusing the young women. Subsequently, another gang of 50-60 wrestlers arrived there.'

'When the trainee girls from the academy tried to stop this gang of wrestlers, they were also severely beaten. The gang of wrestler thugs showed no shame or conscience while laying hands on the daughters training to join the Maharashtra police force, nor did they fear the police. The disappearance of fear from the minds of criminals is a failure of the police administration and consequently the state's home department, which means Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and it should not be considered an exaggeration to say so. If not 'Devabhau', who is handling the home department, then whom should we ask why 'Bhaigiri' is increasing in Pune? Moreover, even after all this happened, Pune police did not take any immediate action against the gang of thugs. The police did not come to the scene on their own, nor did they take any notice of the boys and girls who went to the Sahakar Nagar police station with complaints of molestation, assault, and abuse. Even after staging a sit-in in front of the police station, the police did not respond to them. Finally, these boys and girls stormed the police commissionerate. Although the incident occurred at 8 AM on Tuesday, the police registered a case in this matter only after 7 PM. The shocking thing is that there was direct pressure from the ministry on police officers not to take action against this gang of hooligans, this information is now coming to light.'

'If the people in the government themselves are working to save criminal gangs in such a manner, then what's the use of blaming the police? During practice, these thug wrestlers look at us with obscene eyes, often make indecent comments, threaten to befriend us on Facebook and Instagram, and follow us home every day, which is a serious complaint from the girls practicing for police recruitment. However, despite such serious complaints including molestation, the police at Sahakar Nagar station continued to cooperate with the criminals instead of the girls. The crime in Pune has increased because the police do not have the freedom to take action against criminals after complaints are filed against them. Seven new police stations are being started in Pune to curb the increasing crime. But if the police stand by the criminals according to the orders of the rulers, then what is the use of starting any number of new police stations? The attack by a gang of thugs on the boys and girls practicing for police recruitment on Taljai Hill is a disgrace to the cultured city of Pune. 'What is lacking in Pune?' was what Pune residents used to proudly say. However, seeing the increased crime in Pune in recent times, Pune residents are now forced to say 'Pune is full of crimes.' Will 'Devabhau's' home department end this 'gangsterism' in Pune?' This is what has been said in the editorial.