Pune: In a recent incident in Kondhwa, a couple threatened police officers with a machete while they were attempting to clear traffic congestion. The police have registered a case against Mahesh Vilas Lonkar (31) and his wife for obstructing government work and illegal weapon possession.

The complaint, filed by police constable Kiran Zende at the Kondhwa police station, states that he and another officer, Memane, were on patrol in the Shivnerinagar area on Wednesday night.

Upon encountering a traffic jam, they intervened to resolve the situation. Lonkar, who was wielding a machete, threatened drivers and verbally abused local residents. When the police arrived, Lonkar’s wife tried to hide the weapon and also engaged in verbal and physical altercations with the officers.

Senior Police Inspector Vinay Patankar visited the scene, and authorities are currently searching for the absconding couple. Assistant Police Inspector Thorat is leading the investigation.

Recent reports indicate a rise in assaults on police officers in the city. In the Ganganagar area of Hadapsar, a police constable was kicked while trying to manage traffic, and a month ago, an Assistant Police Inspector was attacked with a machete by a known criminal during a dispute in the same area.

Earlier in August, a motorcyclist was arrested by Bharti Vidyapeeth police after he assaulted a traffic officer who had stopped him for violating traffic rules. The incident occurred at the Katraj Bypass Junction on Friday morning around 10:45 AM.

The arrested individual has been identified as Ashish Ramchandra Chavan (37), residing at Chandrai Heights, Dhankawadi). Police constable Deepak Sadashiv Bhoir has filed a complaint with the Bharti Vidyapeeth police station.