KOREGAON BHIMA/PUNE: Learning lessons from the violence on January 1, 2018, the Pune Rural Police have turned Koregaon-Bhima and surrounding villages into a fortress with over 10,000 police personnel including State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) jawans deployed in large number, for the commemoration of the 201st anniversary of the famous battle there.
In the violence between two groups from different communities, a youth, Rahul Fatangede (28) was beaten to death, while several others sustained injuries, and properties worth over eight crore were damaged during the 200th-anniversary celebrations, last year.
IG Vishwas Nangre-Patil reviewed the security arrangements and police carried out a flag march in the area. On Monday, hundreds of people arrived at the Vijay Stambh (victory memorial) at Perne Phata near Koregaon-Bhima. They were welcomed by local villagers, as well as gram panchayat and zilha parishad members.
The district administration has made arrangements expecting a turnout of about 10 lakh visitors.
According to police officials, heavy bandobast has been deployed not only near the Vijay Stambh (Perne Phata) but also at Koregaon-Bhima, Sanaswadi, Vadhu and Tulapur villages.
Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Sandip Patil said, “We are taking security measures keeping in mind, the violence which happened last time. We have deployed SRPF jawans, quick reaction teams (QRTs), as well as additional forces from the neighbouring districts.”
PARADE TODAY
Sarjerao Waghmare, President of Koregaon-Bhima Vijay Ramstambh Seva Sangh and member of Panchata Samiti, said that on Tuesday, the Mahar Battalion and Samta Sainik Dal will conduct a parade in the morning. Later, people will pay tribute at the Vijay Stambh.
PUBLIC RALLY IN THE AFTERNOON
Many leaders will also visit the place and the district administration has given permission to five parties and organisations to organise rallies.
MEDICAL FACILITY
District Collector Naval Kishor Ram said that there are medical facilities for visitors and 20 ambulances, especially with cardiac arrest treatment facilities, have been deployed.
DRONE CAMERAS TO KEEP WATCH
The police will use video cameras in large number to film the programme. CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations. The police personnel will use hidden cameras also besides drones to keep a watch on the crowd, SP Patil said.
THE HISTORY
The famous battle between the Peshwa Army and the British forces at Koregaon-Bhima was fought on January 1, 1818, in which the British Army is said to have won against the mighty Peshwa forces. Later, a victory pillar was erected at Perne Phata, which is on the other side of river Bhima, where people had been gathering for decades every year on January 1.
