Pune: Goons vandalise over 20 vehicles in Bibvewadi

Numerous vehicles in Bibwewadi were smashed by vandals carrying sickles. 

27 April 2024

By Khushi Maheshwari

At around 11 pm, an atmosphere of terror struck the Bibwewadi area. Approximately 10-15 thugs entered the area with sticks and sickles and smashed 5 rickshaws and 15-20 scooters and bikes, instilling a sense of fear in everyone. 

Citizens were petrified after the horrific incident of vandalism. Residents around the area have expressed their worries about these incidents taking place very frequently. Moreover they alleged that police in the area are yet to take any actions against the hoodlums and to safeguard the civilians in the vicinity. 

Vandalism and sickle terror is on the rise in the city but the passivity of the Pune police has become a cause for resentment, concern and bitterness among the residents. 

In January, a group of men terrorised residents of Swaraj Colony of Thergaon. They smashed cars while pointing pistols toward the air. The crime happened around midnight and the hoodlums mugged three victims. As per police reports, the thugs came riding on two wheelers armed with Koyta, Pistols, wooden staffs and beer bottles. 

They threatened everyone by hoisting their weapons in the air, smashing beer bottles, mugging three people and stealing Rs. 3,500 in total from three people (1,600 from 28 year old Akshay Vilas Kedari, 1,200 from Yash Sapkal and Rs. 700 were extorted from Ajay Navale.) The incident report was filed by Kedari in the Wakad police station with Padmabhushan Gaikwad, assistant PI spearheading the investigation. 

Both of these incidents were reminiscent of a series of frightening cases of vandalism by Koyta gangs. These incidents had intensified so much that it prompted Ajit Pawar to address the exacerbating crime rate in the city. 

There have been more instances this year of miscreants, especially children, terrorising and attacking individuals with Koytas. It has been alleged that Koyta gangs, especially on Pune’s periphery, brandish billhooks and incite panic.

In the most recent incident, the police have not only paid no heed to the matter but also subdued efforts by citizens who attempted to get the hoodlums on video and catch them by deleting the footage. This has instilled a feeling of distrust in the hearts of citizens towards the police, leading them to believe that these gangsters might be supported by the police themselves.