Maharashtra bandh highlights: The Maratha Kranti Morcha will lead protests in Mumbai today.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which was spearheading the agitation seeking reservation for the community, has called off the protest after incidents of violence were reported from parts of the city. The bandh was called in Mumbai to press their demand of 16% reservation and to protest against the death of a Maratha youth in Aurangabad. Another group, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, lead protest in Navi Mumbai and Panvel, according to reports.
Large-scale violence marred a state-wide protest on Tuesday in Maharashtra, where a constable died and nine other policemen were injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators. Stone throwing and arson were reported from several parts of the state, which remained on edge today and braced for a Mumbai bandh today.
Internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad district to prevent any untoward incident.
Here are the highlights on Maratha bandh:
BREAKING: The Maratha Kranti Morcha has called off Mumbai bandh
In Kalamboli, one of the key areas of Navi Mumbai, protesters are blocking traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. The Sion Panvel highway has also been completely blocked.
Protesters have blocked arterial roads, including the Eastern Expressway and forced shops to shut in pockets of Raigad.
Local train routes have been blocked in Jogeshwari and near Thane
Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha block a local train in Thane
Sion Panvel highway has been blocked by protesters
Mumbai Bandh: Mumbai Shutdown Today Over Maratha Groups' Quota Stir: 10 PointsMassive security arrangements are in place in Mumbai after Maratha groups have called for a shutdown in the city today over the community's demand for quota in government jobs and education. Violent protests erupted in parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday after the death of a man who jumped into a river in Aurangabad. Several private bus operators have decided to keep their buses off the roads in Mumbai because of the shutdown call. On Tuesday, internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad as a preventive measure. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for calm and said the government was serious about a resolution. Schools and colleges in Mumbai will remain open today despite the shutdown call."
BEST bus vandalised near Wagle estate area of Thane
What we know- Maratha protesters have said that the protests will be peaceful
- Convenor of the Maratha Kranti Morcha claimed that they have not received any response from the government
- The group has blocked eastern express highway going to Mumbai
A constable deployed near the funeral venue of the protester who jumped to death on Monday, died. Police said the cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
"The postmortem report is awaited. Some injury marks were seen on his hands and legs," a police official said, adding another constable there got injured in stone-pelting.
The impact of Tuesday's bandh was more visible in Aurangabad and adjoining districts in the central region of the state, a day after the death of a protester.
Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state's population, has been a hugely contentious issue.