A public election meeting in Pune turned violent on Thursday when unidentified individuals hurled stones at a vehicle belonging to a prominent Shiv Sena leader and targeted the party's candidate. The incident has sparked a police investigation and raised concerns over election-related violence in the region.
Attack During Campaign Meeting
The unsettling event occurred near Shreeram Chowk in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena leader Pramod Nana Bhangire was conducting a public meeting for election campaigning within a residential society when the attack took place. According to Bhangire, his car was directly hit by stones. The assailants also aimed their attack at the party's candidate, Sarika Pawar, who was present at the scene.
"While I was holding a public meeting for election campaigning in a society near Shreeram Chowk, some people pelted stones at my car and also targeted our candidate Sarika Pawar," Bhangire stated while recounting the incident. He strongly condemned the act, emphasizing that such violence has no place in the democratic process.
Police Launch Investigation, Scrutinize CCTV Footage
Local law enforcement responded promptly to the scene following the report. The police have initiated a formal investigation into the matter and are actively working to identify those responsible. A key part of their probe involves a thorough examination of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from cameras in the vicinity of the society.
"The police had reached the spot and were reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits. The footage will reveal who did this," Bhangire affirmed, expressing confidence in the investigative process. He further added his dismay, stating, "This is very wrong. This shouldn't happen." Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the attack, which prevented the situation from becoming more serious.
Condemnation and Call for Peaceful Polls
The stone-pelting incident has been met with widespread condemnation from political observers who stress the importance of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during elections. Such acts of intimidation pose a direct challenge to the spirit of free and fair campaigning. The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities expected to take strict action against the perpetrators once they are identified from the video evidence.
This event highlights the tensions that can surface during election periods and underscores the critical need for heightened security to protect candidates and party workers. The outcome of the police review of the CCTV footage is now eagerly awaited to bring the attackers to justice.
