Pune: Opposition parties on Tuesday denounced the Pune police's 10pm closing deadline for restaurants as anti-people, asserting that the measure does not tackle the city's escalating crime rates.
Background of the Restrictions
The Pune Police recently issued prohibitory orders enforcing a 14-day ban on public gatherings. Alongside this, multiple restaurant owners and operators of smaller food outlets claimed they were being compelled to shut their businesses by 10pm.
Supriya Sule's Criticism
Baramati MP and NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule questioned the rationale behind the restrictions, arguing that the police have failed to curb crime effectively. “Incidents involving the ‘koyta gang’ continue, and firing cases have become increasingly common. When the law-and-order situation is deteriorating, what are the police trying to achieve by restricting small businesses?” she asked. Sule described the measures as counterproductive. “The police commissioner calls this a prohibitory order, but what exactly is being prohibited? These steps seem like a cure worse than the disease,” she said.
Congress Party's Objections
Congress members also voiced sharp opposition, accusing authorities of using restrictions to stifle dissent. Newly appointed Pune Congress president Prashant Jagtap alleged that the orders were aimed at preventing protest rallies. “The government does not want the opposition to raise issues affecting the public and is using the police to suppress our voice. We will continue to speak up,” he said. Jagtap added that while the police have been ineffective against criminal elements, they are acting aggressively against small businesses. “At a time when inflation is already burdening citizens, such actions are worsening the problems of small traders instead of providing them relief,” he remarked.
