2 hrs ago
Police Call Pune MPSC Paper-Leak Protest Illegal, Issue Notices
Students in Pune are protesting over an alleged leak of a Drug Inspector exam paper.
They want the head of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission to resign.
The protest had continued for six days by Tuesday.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the protest did not have permission and was illegal.
He said it was causing trouble for people travelling nearby.
Police sent more than 70 notices to protesters and others connected with the protest.
Kumar said police were watching the situation and would act if needed.
MP Sanjay Singh joined the students and made wider claims about other exam leaks.
Police said no protest-related cases had been filed, apart from a journalist’s complaint about an alleged assault.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said more than 70 notices were issued to protesters, coaching classes and Telegram channels two to three days earlier.
Kumar called the protest illegal because police had not granted permission and said it was disrupting commuters and involved provocative speeches.
The protest entered its sixth day on Tuesday, with students gathering near SM Joshi bridge and at two other Pune locations.
Protesters are seeking the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar over an alleged Drug Inspector exam paper leak.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh joined the protest and alleged that several other recruitment and entrance exam papers had also leaked.
- Who
- Students protesting, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh.
- What
- Students are protesting an alleged Drug Inspector exam paper leak and demanding MPSC chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation; police have issued more than 70 notices.
- Where
- Near SM Joshi bridge and at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road and Alka Talkies chowk in Pune.
- When
- The protest was in its sixth day on Tuesday; notices were issued two to three days earlier.
- Why
- Protesters seek the MPSC chairperson’s resignation over the alleged leak of the Drug Inspector examination held in March.
Police position
Protesters and supporters’ position
Legality and public disruption
Police position
Commissioner Amitesh Kumar called the protest illegal because it lacked permission, disrupted commuters and featured what he described as provocative speeches.
Protesters and supporters’ position
Students continued the protest and gathered at multiple locations; they are demanding the MPSC chairperson’s resignation.
Alleged exam leaks
Police position
The article reports the police commissioner’s comments on protest legality, but does not quote him assessing the alleged exam leak.
Protesters and supporters’ position
Protesters cite the alleged Drug Inspector exam paper leak as grounds for demanding Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation. Sanjay Singh also alleged that papers for several other exams had leaked.
Key facts
- Notices
- More than 70 notices were issued to protesters, coaching classes and Telegram channels.
- Timing of notices
- Police said notices were issued two to three days before Tuesday.
- Protest duration
- The protest had reached its sixth day on Tuesday.
- Main demand
- Resignation of MPSC chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar.
- Exam at issue
- The Drug Inspector examination held in March.
- Protest locations
- Near SM Joshi bridge, Lal Bahadur Shastri Road and Alka Talkies chowk in Pune.
- Police position
- The commissioner said the protest lacked permission and police were monitoring developments; he said no time limit to withdraw had been set.
- Reported cases
- The commissioner said no FIRs had been filed apart from one filed by a journalist who was allegedly attacked at the protest.
Quotes
Amitesh Kumar
Pune Police Commissioner
“The protest is illegal, there is no permission to do it. It is causing inconvenience to the general commuters and the leaders are coming and giving provocative speeches inciting students.”
indianexpress.com
“But we are keeping a close watch on the developments and we have been exercising extreme tact and patience so as to not let a conflict situation happen.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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