High drama was witnessed on the premises of the police commissionerate yesterday afternoon, as members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took to sloganeering after Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol refused to meet their delegation. The party representatives wanted to exchange ’til-gul’ ladoos, in their bid to reach out to government officials of different agencies.
While leaving the commissionerate, AAP members started shouting slogans against the police. Cops present on the premises were caught off-guard. Though the strike force was asked to be prepared if the situation spiraled out of control, the sloganeering ended as abruptly as it has started, following which all the AAP members left the commissionerate and dispersed.
AAP national executive member and former President of Rashtra Seva Dal Subhash Ware said, “It is an unfortunate incident. Like in other government offices, we went to the police commissionerate on the occasion of Makar Sankranti to facilitate better communication with the agency. We had submitted a letter regarding our initiative two days in advance and had also taken prior appointment. Despite this, commissioner Gulabrao Pol kept us waiting for nearly 90 minutes and then refused to meet us. He has time for meeting politicians and builders, but not for the common man. If he is treating us this way, then we can only imagine what the common man must be suffering at the hands of these officials.”
The other side
Speaking to mediapersons on behalf of Pol, ACP Prasad Hasabnis said, “The AAP delegation was allotted an appointment of before 3.30 pm by the commissioner, but it came late. When the delegation arrived, he (CP) was busy discussing a few issues with MLA Anil Bhosale. Not adhering to the procedure, the AAP activists insisted on meeting CP, which was inappropriate. They should understand that important work was in progress.”
When asked about what possible action could be initiated against AAP members, Hasabnis said, “The control room in-charge, under whom the commissionerate premises fall, can take action against the people concerned. As per the Bombay Police Act, the activists can be given strict warning and/or they can be prosecuted under relevant sections for sloganeering.”
