No Need to Panic, Says Pune Police After Imposing Preventive Restrictions Across City
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 25th May 2026: In a preventive measure to maintain law, order, and public peace ahead of Bakri Eid and other upcoming festivals, the Pune City Police have invoked strict prohibitory orders under Section 37 (1), (2), and (3) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
The restrictions will remain in force across the entire jurisdiction of the Pune Police Commissionerate for a period of 14 days, starting from 00:01 hrs on May 26, 2026, until 24:00 hrs on June 8, 2026.
The directive, issued on Saturday by Dr. Prashant Amrutkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), Pune City, cites the potential for law and order disruptions. Factors such as ongoing agitations, protests, strikes by various political and social outfits—combined with the upcoming festive season—necessitate these stringent preventive measures to ensure public safety.
A senior police officer told Punekar News, “This is not an unusual order. Such directives are issued regularly to regulate protests and ensure minimum inconvenience to the public. Otherwise, anyone could suddenly gather on the roads and disrupt traffic movement. There is no need to panic.”
Key Restrictions Under the Order:
Unlawful Assembly: Gathering of five or more persons, holding public meetings, and organizing processions are strictly prohibited without prior permission from the Police Commissioner.
Weapons & Hazardous Materials: Carrying arms, swords, spears, bludgeons, firearms, or any object capable of causing physical injury is banned. The transport of corrosive substances, explosives, inflammable liquids, stones, or missiles (including glass soda bottles) is also strictly prohibited.
Protests & Effigies: The public exhibition or burning of effigies of political figures or leaders is barred.
Public Nuisance & Decency: The police have strictly forbidden shouting loud, abusive, or provocative slogans, playing loud musical instruments in public, and displaying pictures, symbols, or placards that outrage decency, morality, or threaten state security.
Provocative Speech: Speeches, gestures, or the dissemination of any material intended to disturb public tranquility, spread hatred, or attempt to overthrow the state will invite immediate action.
Crackdown on Social Media ‘Reels’
In a notable directive aimed at curbing digital nuisance, the police order explicitly bans the creation and circulation of social media “reels” or videos that glorify criminal behavior (glorifying goondas), spread terror, or issue threats to the public.
Exemptions and Penalties
Exemptions to the weapons and assembly bans have been made for on-duty government personnel, police officers, and authorized private security guards (such as watchmen carrying standard sticks up to 3.5 feet for duty).
Authorities have issued a stern warning that any violation of these orders will attract severe penal action under Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Violators may face arrest, fines, and the confiscation of associated materials. The police clarified that legal actions initiated against violators during this 14-day window will remain valid and continue even after the expiration of the prohibitory order.
