Maratha protesters block Mumbai-Pune highway demanding reservation
Mumbai, July 25 (IBNS): The Maratha agitators on Wednesday blocked the Mumbai-Pune highway demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, media reports said.
Spearheading the stir, the Maratha Kranti Morcha, a pro-Maratha unit, has called for Mumbai bandh on Wednesday.
Several vehicles were vandalised by the agitators in Navi Mumbai.
Several private buses are off the road due to the stir.
However, the protesters said they won't affect the train services. Schools and colleges also remained open.
The Marathas have been demanding a reservation for some time now.
The protest turned violent on Tuesday as agitators torched police vehicles and ambulances in Aurangabad.
Fueled by the loss of an agitator and the call for reservation, several protests had resorted to arson, setting alight tyres and destroying government properties in several parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Kakasaheb Shinde. He jumped off a bridge during the protest.
One of the protesters told NDTV if their demands are not fulfilled, the vote bank of the ruling party (Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena coalition) will be affected.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged protesters to remain calm.
Fadnavis said his government is accessing the options, pertaining to the community's demands.
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