CM should send Pune CP on compulsory leave: Supriya

Pune: NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Saturday said the home department should take the moral responsibility of spurious liquor deaths in the city and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should send Pune commissioner of police on compulsory leave for his failure to maintain law and order.

The toll went up to 17 on Saturday, while Baramati MP Supriya said the number of deaths could be even higher. “The local people are claiming that the number of people who died because of spurious liquor is more than what the police are claiming. The incident has exposed the govt’s failure in controlling illegal activities,” she said.

Supriya said mere suspension of some officials and police personnel after the spurious liquor deaths were not enough. “The police and the excise department were aware of the illicit business and senior officials of these departments are responsible for so many deaths. The chief minister should send the Pune commissioner of police (CP) on compulsory leave for failing to control crime in the city,” she said.

NCP (SP) workers, led by MLA Rohit Pawar, vandalised the illicit liquor den in Hadapsar on Friday as a protest and demanded strict action in the hooch tragedy case. The opposition accused the police of turning a blind eye to illegal activities and targeting common people.

Citing the Pune police’s strict implementation of the 10pm closure deadline for establishments, Supriya said, “Cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are operating throughout the night. Then why is there a restriction only in Pune? The police imposed restrictions on common people but allowed the business of illicit liquor to continue. It is an utter failure of the police department.”

Citing a recent NCRB report, Supriya said, “In terms of crime, Pune ranks number one in Maharashtra and fifth in the country. It is quite unfortunate that the city known for providing quality education is getting the tag of being the crime capital of Maharashtra. The chief minister should conduct a detailed inquiry to find out why the crime has increased so much in Pune.”

The NCP (SP) working president also criticised the BJP leadership in Pune over the spurt in crime in the city. “BJP has got a huge mandate in PMC but none of their members has done anything to improve the city’s law and order. We are demanding the chief minister to look into the crime rate of Pune and take some corrective measures. If I do not see any improvement, I will lead an agitation against the govt in the city,” Supriya added.