Cages at essential locations, blowing sirens: Leopard threat prompts safety measures for Koregaon Bhima anniversary event

A huge number of people would be passing through Shirur and adjoining areas, to reach the ‘Jaystambh’, which is also located on the Bhima river side, surrounded by sugarcane farms. Many visitors travel through the area, even during the night of December 31 and January 1.

The region being prone to leopard movements, the state government has involved the forest department in the Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary preparations.

Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said the forest department will conduct a survey of the area before the January 1 event and install cages at the essential locations.

“Additionally, teams from the forest department would be deployed in the area. Nearly 40 leopards have been captured from the Shirur forest range in the last couple of months. However, people should not worry. Essential steps are being taken…,” added Dudi.

Gajanan Patil, Chief Executive Officer of Pune Zilla Parishad said, “Considering the human leopard conflict, we are involving experts from the forest department to make arrangements for the January 1 programme. Measures such as blowing sirens to prevent leopard from venturing into the area will be undertaken.”

Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) said, “We have received calls from the police in connection with the January 1 preparations. Meetings would be held with concerned government officials in view of leopard movements in Shirur.”

“The leopards, by way of their natural behaviour, would stay away from crowds. But still, we plan to do extensive patrolling, even during the night and caution the people coming for the January 1 event. We will make people aware about the do’s and dont’s such as not sleeping in open spaces, avoid moving alone in riverside areas and sugarcane farms… We would take help from the gram panchayats of Koregaon Bhima and other villages in Shirur taluka to create awareness,” said Rajhans.

On Friday, leopard management was among the key issues discussed during a meeting conducted at the ‘Jaystambh’, in the presence of Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Special Assistance Department of Maharashtra. Kamble reviewied the preparations for the January 1 event.

Deepa Mudhol Munde, Commissioner of Social Welfare Department; Sunil Ware, Director General of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI); Sandeep Singh Gill, Superintendent of Pune rural police; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Pune city) Somay Munde; Chandrakant Waghmare, Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), Pune Zilla Parishad, along with Ambedkarite activists were present for the meeting.

Earlier, District Collector Dudi and Commissioner of Pune police Amitesh Kumar visited the ‘Jaystambh’ to plan the security arrangements and other facilities, such as water, health, sanitation and transportation, that are being arranged for the visitors.
The ‘Jaystambh’ is a military monument erected by the British government in 1821, in memory of its soldiers who fought against the Peshwas in a battle at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818.

As per a Dalit Ambedkarite narrative, the British Army comprising 500 soldiers from the Mahar community defeated a 28,000–strong force of Peshwas, in this battle. Lakhs of Ambedkarites visit the Jaystambh on January 1 calling it ‘Shaurya Din (victory day)’ to pay tribute to soldiers who, they believe, fought a war for freedom against the alleged casteism of Peshwas.

Widespread violence was reported in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, when a huge number of people had gathered for the 200th commemoration of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima. One person had died and several others were left injured in the violence.

Since then, the Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary is considered a sensitive event and extensive preparations are done by the government and police officials to ensure it is held peacefully.