In Pune, around 250 Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionaries were booked on Monday, 3 June for allegedly brandishing air guns and swords during a procession on Sunday, 2 June in Nigdi, Pimpri Chinchwad area, the police said.
Among those booked, included VHP local president Sharad Inamdar, district president Dhanaji Shinde under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Bombay Police Act, an official said on Monday.
"The outfit carried out a shobha yatra, largely comprising women, in Yamunanagar area on Sunday evening despite permission being denied by the police. We spotted air rifles in the hands of four girls and swords were brandished by five girls," the Nigdi police station official informed.
“We have taken suo motu case at Bigdi police station. We are yet to verify what kind of air rifles were exhibited during the the procession. They were emanating a huge sound when the trigger was pressed,” he added.
The official also said that the VHP procession was a violation of the prohibitory orders issued under the Bombay Police Act Act, 1951 for Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerate area, effective from 21 May to 3 June.
“These orders prohibit carrying of arms, cudgels, swords, spears, bludgeons, guns, knives, sticks or lathis, or any other article, which is capable of being used for causing physical violence,” he said, adding that no arrests has been made so far.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)