Pune Police Launch Manhunt for 150 Accused in Violent Attack on Ramzan Iftar Gathering
The Saswad police in Pune have initiated a major search operation to locate a large group of approximately 150 individuals who are accused of brutally assaulting fourteen men from Kondhwa. The victims had assembled near a picturesque lake at Askarwadi, close to Bopdev Ghat, just outside the city limits, for a peaceful Ramzan Iftar gathering around 7 PM on Friday evening.
FIR Details and Police Investigation
In a First Information Report (FIR) lodged on Saturday, the primary complainant, Feroz Sayyed, a 36-year-old resident of Kondhwa who operates a cloth stall on MG Road in Camp, provided a detailed account of the harrowing incident. Sayyed stated that he, along with thirteen friends, traveled to the serene lakeside area to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. They had carried food packets and various edibles for the Iftar meal.
The police have officially registered a case against 100 to 150 unidentified persons for the alleged violent assault. Inspector Kumar Kadam of the Saswad police station confirmed that authorities are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity to identify the perpetrators. "We have so far identified three of the assailants. We will soon identify the rest and arrest them," Inspector Kadam asserted. When questioned about potential organizational affiliations of the attackers, he responded cautiously, "We are verifying their background."
Eyewitness Account of the Sudden Attack
Feroz Sayyed recounted the terrifying moments when the peaceful gathering turned violent. "We had barely opened our food packets when a group of 100-150 men - carrying sticks, sharp weapons, whips, and stones - suddenly reached the spot on about 100 two-wheelers," he described. The assailants aggressively questioned the victims about their presence at the location, criticized their choice of attire, and issued stern warnings against future visits to the area.
According to Sayyed, the situation escalated rapidly as the attackers began hurling abuses and physically assaulting the group with the weapons they were carrying. "The assailants raised slogans while beating us up," he added, highlighting the chaotic and frightening nature of the attack. The victims, fearing for their safety, fled the scene to escape further harm.
Aftermath and Medical Treatment
Most of the fourteen assaulted men sustained significant injuries to their heads, backs, and legs during the violent encounter. After managing to escape, they sought medical attention at a hospital in Kondhwa, where doctors provided necessary treatment for their wounds. Sayyed also mentioned that additional people had gathered near the lake for Iftar, and some of them were allegedly targeted by the same group of men, indicating the attack may have affected more individuals than initially reported.
The lake, situated off the Bopdev Ghat-Saswad Road, is located nearly 12 kilometers from the Kondhwa area, making it a secluded spot that the victims had chosen for their religious observance. The Pune police continue their investigation, emphasizing their commitment to bringing all those responsible to justice and ensuring community safety during religious events.
