Police commissioner says drugs-free city is a priority, slams ‘Udta Pune’ narrative.

 

The police commissioner was speaking at a programme organised at the Modern College in Pune on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During his speech, Amitesh Kumar spoke about police action against drug racketeering and drug use.

SAYING THAT some people are creating false narratives that it is now ‘Udta Pune’ (a reference to the movie Udta Punjab, which portrays Punjab’s drug crisis) over one incident of drug use, police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Wednesday that the police force has made its priority to keep Pune drugs-free and are putting their heart and soul into the effort.

The police commissioner was speaking at a programme organised at the Modern College in Pune on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During his speech, Amitesh Kumar spoke about police action against drug racketeering and drug use.

He referred to the ongoing investigation by the police into the alleged finding of drugs at the pub Liquid Leisure Lounge located on Fergusson College Road, which was launched after a video of the act was circulated on the social media and also resulted in media coverage and public outrage.

The police commissioner said, “After the media and citizens brought this incident to our notice, we have taken stringent action in the case. We are on the same page as that of the people and press and our common goal is overall wellbeing of the society. But because of one such incident, some people are creating a narrative that it is ‘Udta Pune’ and ‘Pune is drug infested. I want to assure here that drugs-free Pune and drugs-free society is a priority for us. We have done and we will keep doing everything that we can, that too taking along all the sections of the society. Some people are trying to create false narratives about this Oxford of the East, an educational hub. I am urging people not to let such narratives spread. The administration and the police have prioritised this subject and are putting our hearts and souls into that effort. The police force will not spare any such illegality or organised racket or corrupt practices. Even those from within the force and outside.”

He further said, “I want citizens to go to the police station or a chowki with the confidence that police will find relief and solutions for their problems. If that does not happen, citizens have the option of approaching senior officers including ACPs, DCPs. They can use social media and directly write to our handles. There is also the one stop option of calling 112. I want to assure you that a call on 112 will be responded to in five to seven minutes.”