Cops failed to handle post-poll violence: Pawar

“The police have failed in handling violence after the civic polls. Police have been provided with all equipment they need and have been given a free hand in dealing with law and order issues. But it seems they have failed in making use of all this,” Pawar,who wa sin the city to attend a function had said.

After the civic polls and the results,there were many incidents of violence between supporters of various political parties were reported from various parts of the city. Last Sunday,about 40 to 50 supporters of a defeated candidate went on the rampage in Sutarwadi damaging about 30 vehicles,vandalising 20 households and injuring two persons including a policeman. Chatushrungi police have arrested 25 persons including a rebel NCP leader Aba Sutar in the case.

Borwankar said,“I do not want to comment on it (Pawar’s statement). I can tell you that we are doing our best and with full efficiency. I have full faith in my team.”

She further said,“During my tenure here in Pune,I have faced no political pressure,not even during the elections. We were given full freedom.”

Sureshkumar Mekhla,additional commissioner of police (North Zone) said,“In 24 cases of violence registered in various parts of city between February 16 and 24,we have arrested 221 persons and some of them have been remanded in police custody. It has been observed that most cases of violence had involvement of defeated candidates and their supporters.”