Pune firing: Totalitarian response to protests unacceptable

A day after three farmers were killed in the police firing in Maval taluka of Pune district, the state government went on the offensive saying “no government would have tolerated the shutting down of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for five hours”.

While people have every right to protest in a democracy, “it was not right to shut down the expressway and hold the state to ransom”, said Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister.

On Tuesday, police were allegedly forced to open fire when a rally of more than 2,000 farmers protesting against land acquisition for a water pipeline project from the Pawana dam to the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body turned violent at Rautwadi in Kurunj village.

The state assembly on Wednesday witnessed huge furore soon after the proceedings began. Targeting Pawar, the Opposition compared him with General Dyer, who was responsible for the Jalianwalabaug massacre, German dictator Adolf Hitler and Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.

Opposition members entered into the well of the House shouting slogans against the state and home department. One of the banners had General Dyer's face pasted on Pawar's caricature and the caption read: “If you ask for water, bullets would be awarded”.

Though the speaker immediately admitted the adjournment motion moved by the Opposition, members continued shouting slogans.

Opposition leader Eknath Khadse claimed the police were backed by Pawar, who had announced a few days ago that the piped water supply project would be completed amid police protection. “Even after 60 years of white British leaving the country, these black British [pointing to Pawar] are ruling the state in the same style,” he said.

Khadse said the police have opened fire at innocent people on three occasions in last three weeks. “Innocent people have been killed in all these cases. There was no need to open fire in Maval as the agitation was led in the peaceful manner. In fact, the police were seen damaging vehicles with malafide intention.”

MNS legislator Bala Nandgaonkar, alleged that Pawar during a meeting held a few days ago, had directed the police to open fire at the agitators if they do not budge on the issue.

Pawar, who is also guardian minister for Pune district, accused the Opposition of politicking. He said the fact that such a massive rally had been organised during the session when the government was involved in talks with the farmers showed that some parties were playing politics.

Pawar said he met the affected villagers on Wednesday morning and promised compensation to the kin of the three deceased farmers and to those injured in the firing.

While the Opposition agreed that Pimpri-Chinchwad must get water from the pipeline, they insisted that the farmers must be protected.

Pawar assured them that the project would not affect the water supply to the farmers of Maval taluka.

“We will acquire land at the current market rates and provide a job to each farmer or his kin whose land is acquired. If the farmer is not qualified, we will help him set up a small business,” promised Pawar.