Pune Police Release 102 CJP Protesters After 3-Hour Detention; Demonstrators Stage 15-Minute Rasta Roko Outside Lashkar Police Station

Pune Police released 102 individuals detained near Lal Mahal on Saturday evening in connection with a gathering supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement. The protesters were released around 7:25 pm after their names and details were recorded at the Lashkar Police Station in Camp. Some of the released protesters organized a 15-minute blockade outside the police station, temporarily disrupting traffic in the area.

A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the lengthy process of verifying the detainees' identities took approximately three to three-and-a-half hours as many protesters were hesitant to provide their names and personal information. The officer stated, "At Lashkar Police Station, we had 102 protesters who were brought here after being detained.

We recorded their names as per police protocol. Initially, they were scared and were not giving us their names or other details. However, without recording their identities, we could not release them. This is why the process took so long."

During their detention, the detainees were provided with drinking water and snacks, including vada pav. Some accepted the refreshments, while others reportedly declined them. The majority of the protesters were students residing in paying guest accommodations and those who had migrated to Pune for education. A few were taken to other police stations, such as Hadapsar.

The officer appealed to citizens to obtain necessary police permissions before organizing demonstrations, citing the tense situation in the city. "From here on if permission are not taken for any gathering or protest, legal action will be taken," the officer said.

Some of the detained protesters alleged that police personnel had used physical force during their arrest. Riya Patil, a protester detained during the incident, claimed, "They suddenly detained us and hit us with their hands and legs. Although the police offered us water and snacks, some of us did not accept them. We will continue our fight against injustice. We are the young generation, and we will not stop."

Another detained demonstrator expressed that the action would not deter them from raising their concerns and that they intended to continue their fight through peaceful means.