Pune: Clash Erupts Between Villagers and Police Over Purandar Airport Land Survey; Several Injured
Violence broke out on Saturday in Purandar taluka of Pune district as farmers protesting a drone survey for the proposed international airport clashed with the police, leaving several injured on both sides.
The incident occurred when government officials attempted to conduct a drone-based land survey in seven villages—Kumbharvalan, Pargaon Memane, Ekhatpur, Khanavdi, Udachivadi, Vanpuri, and Munjavdi—where the state plans to acquire approximately 2,800 hectares for the Purandar international airport project. Villagers have staunchly opposed the land acquisition and had already disrupted a survey attempt on Friday, damaging a drone camera during the protest.
On Saturday, as the police were deployed to maintain order, tensions escalated at Kumbharvalan village. According to Superintendent of Pune Rural Police Pankaj Deshmukh, the situation turned violent as the police force was being withdrawn. “Cops were pelted with stones. At least four police officers and 20 constables received injuries. In response, we had to use force to control the situation,” Deshmukh said.
Villagers alleged that the police attacked them while they were peacefully opposing the drone survey. Protesters also claimed that an elderly woman died due to the police lathi charge, a claim which was firmly denied by Deshmukh.
As many as 24 police personnel from Pune rural police and several farmers, including women, were injured in the clash.
Reacting to the incident, Baramati MP and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule condemned the use of force against the protesting villagers. In a post on X, Sule stated, “The incident at Kumbharvalan village in Purandar taluka in Baramati Loksabha Constituency is unfortunate. Government should have taken appropriate action considering the sentiments of the citizens (protestors). But it is sad that police force was used against them…”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between state development plans and local land rights concerns.
