Ahead Of Bhima-Koregaon Battle Anniversary, Police Tightens Security In Areas Of Mumbai And Pune

Ahead of the anniversary of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, the security has been increased in Mumbai and Pune. The anniversary is on 01 January, 2019. In 2018, the event was marred by caste violence in which one person was killed. Taking preventive measures this year, the police have detained many in Malad, Worli, Dadar, Kandivli, Ghatkopar.

Bhim Army president, Chandrashekar Azad, has been detained and has been banned from addressing public meetings in the two cities. Azad has termed it an “undeclared emergency”.

Deccan Herald quoted NCP MLA, Dr Jitendra Ahwad, as saying, “What the government has done is wrong. Azad was prevented even from visiting Chaityabhoomi.”

On the other hand, rural police in Pune has taken a call on not allowing Shiv Prathistan founder, Manohar Bhide. This also applies to Samastha Hindu Aghadi founder, Milind Ekbote. The two aren’t allowed to enter the villages for the next ten days.

In the neighbourhood of Bhima-Koregaon, about 5,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain the security. Besides, companies of State Reserved Police Force, 1,200 Home Guards are also deployed. Social media is being monitored.