Pune: Over 100 CJP Protesters Detained; Allege Police Excesses - Ground Report

On Sunday evening, over a hundred protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other groups gathered in Pune to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration took place at Goodluck Chowk, where demonstrators raised slogans and displayed placards calling for accountability and the restoration of democracy. However, the protest was abruptly halted when police denied the group permission to continue.

Pune Police intervened, detaining around 100 protesters and transporting them to Shivajinagar Police Station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Krushikesh Rawale explained that the group's permission was rejected earlier, and they ignored instructions to leave as another event was taking place. Rawale pointed out that the protest had caused a traffic jam extending up to 500 meters and could endanger emergency vehicles.

The protesters vehemently denied the police's claims of brutality, insisting that their demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation remained strong. They argued that their peaceful protest was aimed at securing accountability from the country’s election authorities. Several protesters, including Rahul Patil and Amit Deshmukh, expressed their frustration with the police response, accusing them of treating peaceful citizens as criminals.

The incident has sparked criticism and debate over the use of force by law enforcement during the demonstration.