Pokemon Go! Even Mumbai police can't stop 'Pokewalks'

Despite police refusing permission for Pokewalk, nearly 500 gamers gathered outside Churchgate station on Saturday to fulfil their quest for becoming the ultimate trainer

Despite the cancellation of Mumbai's biggest Pokewalk, scheduled to be held yesterday, due to unavailability of police permissions, nearly 500 Pokemon Go gamers assembled as planned at a fast food restaurant outside Churchgate station and 'unofficially' carried out the walk.

Gamers walked from Churchgate station to Marine Drive in search of the rare Pokémon. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Till before the cancellation, around 7,000 gamers had confirmed participation in the walk.

Tany Joseph (23), who had planned the Pokewalk, said, "We had cancelled the event, but went ahead with it unofficially. I had even approached the DCP for permission, but was told that because the number of people coming for the walk was very high, it was risky and permission could not be given."

Joseph addressed the gamers outside the restaurant at 5 pm and told them that because there was no permission, everyone “should only fight virtually” (referring to virtual Pokemon battles fought on the cellphone). The crowd then walked towards Marine Drive.

"I have heard that you get a lot of Magicarps and Gyrados in this area," said Gaurav Singh, a resident of Goregaon and a Pokemon Go addict. “even the number of PokeStops are more here. I didn’t know the event was cancelled.”

"It’s just a game, for which you don't really need police permission," said Gaurav Somani, a law student from KC College.

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