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Preparations are in full swing at the ‘Jaystambh’ in Pune for the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima to be celebrated on January 1. The Jaystambh has been decorated on the lines of the Constitution to marks 75 years of the charter of rights.
Artificial flowers around ‘Dhammachakra’ and slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’, a line “Bhartiya Samvidhancha Amrut Mahotsav”, pictures of Preamble of the Indian Constitution as well as images of Dr B R Ambedkar holding a copy of the Constitution are displayed on the Jaystambh.
The Jaystambh will also have a photograph of Dr Ambedkar’s visit to the Jaystambh and an image of the Mahar Regiment insignia. Initially, the Jaystambh was part of the insignia of the Mahar regiment, which was raised in 1941. But it was removed later on and now the Mahar regiment insignia has a pair of crossed Vickers medium machine guns, and a dagger.
During a press conference on Monday, Commissioner of Pune police Amitesh Kumar said arrangements are being made, considering that at least 10 lakh visitors will turn up for the programme. Kumar visited the Jaystambh along with Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar on Monday evening.
About 750 police officers and 5045 constabulary of Pune city police, 3,080 personnel from Pune rural police, along with 2,000 home guards will be on bandobast duty around Jaystambh and other locations from December 31 till the completion of the programme on January 1. Similarly, about a thousand cops would be deployed in the areas that come under the jurisdiction of Pimpri Chinchwad police.
Besides, 20 companies of state reserve police force, 18 bomb detections and disposal squad (BBDS) teams, multiple quick response teams (QRTs), and anti-sabotage squads are being deployed for controlling the crowd.
Over 300 CCTV cameras, 50 face recognition cameras with artificial intelligence technology, drones and satellite phones are being used to keep a watch on suspicious movements. Police have also installed 50 watch towers at different locations.
Police teams are closely monitoring social media and have warned of action against circulation of objectionable posts. Police have appealed to the citizens to avoid spreading rumours. Preventive action has been taken against possible ‘mischief mongers’.
Besides, the district administration has provided over 200 ambulances, fire brigade teams, health and sanitation facilities, and drinking water arrangements for visitors.
Police said a patch on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway from Shikrapur to Lonikand will be closed for all vehicles. Police said 45 parking lots have been prepared, from where visitors would be taken to the Jaystambh by about 650 Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited buses.
Lakhs of Ambedkarites visit the Jaystambh on January 1 every year, calling it ‘Shaurya Din (Victory Day)’ to pay tribute to the soldiers who, they believe, fought a war for freedom against the alleged casteism of the Peshwas.
In the last one week, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and minister for social justice Sanjay Shirsat visited the Jaystambh to review the preparations for the massive gathering expected on January 1.
It may be recalled that one person died and several others were left injured during violence in the Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, when lakhs of Ambedkarites gathered to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle.
Since the violence, the Jaystambh has turned into a sensitive location with the police and the district administration making heavy security arrangements to maintain law and order during the annual gathering.
