Minor rioting erupts in Pune, Baramati

Following a physical attack by a man who slapped Union Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar at the NDMC Centre in New Delhi on Thursday, rumours are doing the rounds that a bandh has been called in Pune and Baramati. Some cases of protests were also noted in Pune while shops were closed in many parts of the city.

Pawar is from the town of Baramati in the Pune district of Maharashtra and also owns a flat (It is believed that his daughter owns that flat) in the Shivajinagar area of the Pune city. Pawar stays there whenever he visits Pune. Around three policemen were seen manning the gates of the society. A separate group of close to six safari-clad police personnel was also deputed at the gates of the building named Modi Baug.

On being asked if the security has been stepped up following the attack, an inspector said, "It is likely that Sharad Pawar may come to Pune on Thursday and at his home here. Hence the security has been tightened. But, it is not sure if he will definitely come. We are not aware of the attack that happened in Delhi." Pawar leads the NCP delegation in the Lok Sabha, and represents his constituency of Madha in the state.