Army jawans allegedly thrash traffic cops in Pune, ransack police station

In an ugly street battle, a group of Army officers in Pune allegedly clashed with the police following an altercation over a traffic violation, sparking tension on Tuesday evening.

According to the police, the trouble started when an officer attached to the College of Military Engineering (CME), riding a motorbike, was stopped by a traffic constable at Sambhaji Bridge for driving into a no-entry area.

The officer, and another who was riding pillion on the motorbike, reportedly had a heated argument with the traffic police. This was followed by a street brawl and the officers allegedly thrashed the constables.

After a police team arrived to control the situation, about 30 to 40 more army officers reached the spot. They reportedly barged into the nearby police post and allegedly thrashed policemen after ransacking the building.

The officers, who were in civil clothes, also allegedly broke the cameras of mediapersons and roughed up photographers and camerapersons. According to reports, some civilians who tried to intervene were also beaten up during the clash.

The situation was brought under control after discussions between senior officers from the Army and the police and an assurance that the officers involved would appear at the police station later. The officers appeared at the police station shortly before noon today. The CME has ordered a court of inquiry headed by a Colonel.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Jadhav said the CME officers had abused and assaulted police constables.

The Army has, however, come out with a different version of what had happened. According to sources, the two officers entered the bridge, which was not meant for two-wheelers, by mistake. They were stopped by a constable and asked to pay a fine.

Another constable reached the spot in the meantime. This constable allegedly threatened to avenge an earlier incident where he was harassed in an area controlled by the Army for not wearing a helmet. The constable got into a confrontation with the officers after which they were taken to the police station, the sources said.

Following the incident, the General Officer Commanding of the Army's Southern Command, Lt General AK Singh, issued a statement saying, "The Army cannot tolerate indiscipline. Action will be initiated against those found guilty."

(With PTI Inputs)

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