Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 10th September 2026: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, in coordination with the municipal corporation, removed 72 roadside stalls allegedly selling cigarettes and other tobacco products within 100 metres of schools and colleges during a four-month drive.
The enforcement action was undertaken between May and August 2026 across the four police zones of the Pimpri-Chinchwad commissionerate, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rohidas Pawar.
тАЬDuring the drive, eviction action was taken against a total of 72 stalls selling cigarettes and tobacco products within 100 metres of schools and colleges,тАЭ DCP Pawar said.
Zone 3 recorded the highest number of actions, with 23 stalls removed. Police and civic teams removed 18 stalls in Zone 2 and 17 each in Zones 1 and 4.
Police zone тАУ Stalls removed
Zone 1 17
Zone 2 18
Zone 3 23
Zone 4 17
Total 72
The operation was conducted by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation with police protection. Officers and personnel from the police stations concerned assisted the civic teams.
Police cite risks to students
Police said the availability and display of cigarettes and tobacco products near educational institutions could adversely affect students. Children may become curious after repeatedly seeing tobacco products or observing older people consuming them, potentially leading to addiction, the press note said.
The police also highlighted the long-term physical, psychological and social consequences of tobacco use, including oral cancer and respiratory illnesses. Addiction could also lead some students to steal, lie or skip school to obtain money, the department said.
Crowding, smoking and abusive language around such stalls could pollute the educational environment and create a sense of insecurity, particularly among girl students, the police added.
тАЬGiving priority to citizensтАЩ health and safety, such enforcement action will continue effectively to maintain law and order,тАЭ DCP Pawar added.
The drive was conducted under the directions of Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sarang Awad and Additional Commissioner of Police Basavraj Teli. Senior officers from all four zones supervised the operation.
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