Mumbai
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts today.
According to our sources, MKS( Maratha body) also wishes to appeal to other protesters in Pune, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Raigad to call off the strike. The agitators have given the government time till August 9, 2018, to sort out issues relating to reservation for Marathas.
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.
Earlier today, in an attempt to escalate the aggression, protesters attacked buses and stopped local trains in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city today during the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation. The police in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Satara districts were on their toes to prevent any law and order problem during the bandh.
Agitators blocked some areas there, including the key Teen Hath Naka junction, resulting in huge traffic jams on the city’s main entry and exit points. They also threw stones at trains passing through Thane and Ghansoli (located on the trans-harbour line in Navi Mumbai) stations and services were halted briefly.
The protesters also demanded an ordinance to bring in quotas in jobs and educational institutions from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Most shops and commercial establishments remained shut in important pockets like Dadar, Andheri, Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Borivali, Kandivali, and in many other places as Maratha activists went around requesting shopkeepers to down shutters and express solidarity with their cause.
Agitators yesterday clashed with the police and torched vehicles at several places, while Internet services were suspended in a few places in Aurangabad district to prevent any untoward incident.
The agitation intensified after the death of a man named Kakasaheb Dattatrey Shinde plunged into the the Godavari river. A massive crowd gathered for his funeral and anti-Fadnavis slogas were raised.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts today.
A constable died and nine other policemen were injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators as authorities tried a clampdown on the protests.
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.
