Pune Municipal Elections: 14,000 Cops on Duty, ₹67 Lakh Seized
Pune Police To Expand Network With Five New Stations Across City
As Pune heads to the polls for the Municipal Corporation elections today, the city has been placed under an extensive security blanket to ensure voters can cast their ballots freely and safely. In what is being described as one of the most comprehensive election security arrangements in recent times, law enforcement agencies have mobilized personnel and resources on a large scale.
A total of nearly 14,000 police officers have been deployed across Pune, supported by 3,250 home guards and four companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). The entire operation is being closely monitored by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and Joint Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma. To streamline security management, the city has been divided into 88 designated security zones, with more than 100 sensitive locations identified for heightened surveillance.
Since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, police have taken preventive action against 3,439 individuals to deter any attempts at disrupting the electoral process. Special surveillance teams working round-the-clock across the city have seized ₹67 lakh in unaccounted cash, which authorities believe was intended to influence voters.
The crackdown has extended to illegal liquor and narcotics as well. Police have registered 179 cases under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, confiscating liquor and related materials worth approximately ₹1.24 crore. Drug enforcement units have also recovered MD, cannabis, and narcotic tablets valued at nearly ₹27 lakh. Additionally, action has been taken against 49 habitual offenders under special preventive laws.
To prevent the misuse of weapons during polling, more than 3,200 licensed firearms have been deposited with the police. Authorities have also seized illegal pistols, cartridges, and sharp weapons during raids across the city. As part of ongoing legal enforcement, non-bailable warrants have been executed against 313 accused individuals.
Election-related violations have not gone unnoticed. Police have registered 17 cases involving breaches of the election code, including the distribution of cash and gifts to voters. Despite these attempts to sway the electorate, officials confirmed that no incidents of election-related violence have been reported so far.
