Yuva Sena activists released stray dogs inside the Niphad Nagar Panchayat office
Children, women, senior citizens and two-wheeler riders are among those most affected, according to them. Randhave said citizens had repeatedly demanded measures such as sterilisation drives, dog-catching squads and sustained population-control programmes. The agitators said the unusual protest was intended to directly convey the gravity of the issue to the civic administration.
The protesters claimed that the stray dog population in Niphad town and its surrounding areas has increased significantly, leading to several dog-bite incidents. They alleged that packs of stray dogs have created an atmosphere of fear among residents and increased the risk of attacks as well as road accidents. However, despite several complaints and memorandums submitted to the administration, no effective action had been taken, he alleged. The release of the dogs inside the office triggered a brief commotion at the Nagar Panchayat headquarters.
Protesters Demand Immediate Action on Stray Dog Population
Protesters have escalated their demands for action, stating, “people no longer want assurances, they want action.” They warned of intensifying their protests if the administration fails to tackle the issue of the growing stray dog population in the town. Randhave, a representative of the residents, indicated that they would resort to protests inside government offices if no concrete measures are implemented.
In response, Chief Officer Dheeraj Bhamre assured the protesters that the administration would promptly review the situation. He noted that the Nagar Panchayat has already initiated sterilisation efforts for stray dogs and is committed to taking further steps to manage the increasing population effectively.