Cong MLA Vishwajeet Kadam with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar. Both continued support for protesting MPSC students
Police said earlier permission for the proposed agitation had been cancelled after students communicated that their planned protest would be suspended following their Sept 30 meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis . 51 students and 29 private coaching classes and study centre operators have been served notices in connection with the stir, according to police.
In its order, police said the protesters had been given “written and oral instructions” that the agitation was unauthorised, but the protest continued. “The agitation is affecting traffic and the daily lives of citizens,” the order said, adding that there was a possibility of a law-and-order issue arising from the continued gathering. The order said permission could be sought for a designated protest site behind the district collectorate, while requests for a time-bound agitation at other alternative locations would be considered. “On Oct 1, students gathered at SM Joshi Bridge near Patrakar Bhavan without obtaining fresh permission and started the sit-in protest,” the police order said. Govt should speak to the students instead of using police pressure,” said Maharashtra Youth Congress president Shivraj More, who is among those on hunger strike.
Police have asked the protesters to seek permission for an alternative venue. The action comes a day after Bombay high court directed that protests should not obstruct public roads, bridges and other public spaces or affect traffic. HC also observed that the protesting students could not be treated as antisocial elements and stressed the need for a fair recruitment process. Notices have also been issued to people associated with the agitation. “We have been sitting here peacefully for students’ demands.
Pune: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants’ agitation entered its eighth day on Thursday with Pune police directing protesters to immediately vacate the SM Joshi Bridge area and denying permission for them to continue their sit-in there.