Pune: Police Crack Down On Illegal Tobacco Sales Near Schools In Hadapsar And Kalepadal; Eight Stalls Demolished By Encroachment Department In Joint Operation
Hadapsar, 30th January 2025: In a joint operation with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Encroachment Department, police took strict action against stalls selling tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and colleges. Eight stalls in Hadapsar and Kalepadal were demolished on Wednesday as part of the crackdown.
The sale of tobacco products near educational institutions is prohibited by law, yet several stalls were reportedly selling cigarettes, gutkha, and other tobacco items in defiance of the ban. Complaints about these illegal sales were raised by citizens during a public program in Magarpatta City, prompting Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to order immediate action.
Under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Dr. Rajkumar Shinde, police, along with PMC officials, used JCB machines to remove five paan stalls near a prominent school in Kalepadal. The operation was led by Senior Police Inspector Mansingh Patil of Kalepadal Police Station. Additionally, three stalls near a school in Magarpatta were demolished under the leadership of Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mogle.
Authorities have vowed to continue the crackdown to prevent easy access to tobacco products for students. Further action will be taken across the city to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.
