Thousands of Pune residents on Sunday held a march to the headquarters of the municipal corporation to demand a ban on high-decibel sound systems during religious festivals and stricter action against noise pollution, The Indian Express reported.The march, organised by the Loudspeaker-Virodhi Punekar Manch, was the third agitation in a week. The first two protests were held on August 30.The citizens’ protests on Sunday came two days after activist Vidyanand Bapat was on Friday assaulted by a person who reportedly organises Ganeshotsav festivities, for his protests against noise pollution in the city. Bapat, a Pune resident, has been campaigning against the use of loudspeakers and disk jockeys, including during the Ganeshotsav festivities that start on September 14 this year.The first information report has been registered against the attacker, who was arrested on Friday.Bapat did not participate in the march on Sunday, saying that the campaign must focus on the cause and should not become a movement in his support following the assault, the Hindustan Times reported.The protesters on Sunday said that their demand to ban DJs and loudspeakers was not linked to any particular festival or community, but was against the excessive and unauthorised noise at all public events, the newspaper reported.In a representation submitted to the police, the group of citizens demanded that the police, the municipal body and the state pollution control board must inspect venues and sound systems being used before the events begin, and seize equipment that would lead to the noise exceeding permissible limits.The protesters also demanded greater transparency in how the noise levels are monitored and enforcement across religious, political and social events in the city.Deputy Police Commissioner Krishikesh Rawale told the Hindustan Times that the police was following guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, and had filed cases against violations during the Hindu festival Dahi Handi and Eid-e-Milad, a Muslim celebration.Edited by Neerad Pandharipande.