Pune: A tense situation unfolded in Pune’s Loni Kalbhor area on Saturday after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) spokesperson Vikas Lawande was allegedly attacked and threatened by a group of men. The incident took place near Mhatobachi Alandi village while Lawande was leaving after attending a funeral ritual.
According to the police complaint, Lawande was getting into his car around 10 a.m. when two vehicles suddenly stopped near him. A group of men reportedly came out of the cars and surrounded him. Some of them allegedly pulled him out of the vehicle, pushed him around, and threw ink at him in public. (Vikas Lawande News)
Lawande also claimed that two men showed him pistols and threatened to kill him. In his complaint, he stated that the attackers warned him that they would “not let him live” and said they wanted revenge for the “insult of their guru.” The incident created panic in the area for a short time, especially near the cremation ground where people had gathered earlier for the ritual.
Police later registered a case against 14 people, including Sangram Bhandare and Akshay Kanchan from Uruli Kanchan in Haveli taluka. Officers from Loni Kalbhor Police Station reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Sagar Kavade and other police officers, also visited the area to review the situation.
Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Panhale said the accused have been identified and police teams have been sent to trace and detain them. Authorities are also checking whether weapons were actually used during the incident and reviewing statements from witnesses present at the scene.
The attack triggered anger among Lawande’s supporters and party workers. Later in the afternoon, several workers gathered outside Loni Kalbhor Police Station and staged a protest demanding immediate arrests. Protesters said they would continue their agitation until strict action is taken against all those involved.
The incident has once again raised concerns about rising political hostility and public safety during political disagreements in Maharashtra. While investigations are ongoing, many local residents and political observers are hoping the matter is handled peacefully and fairly through legal action.