Mumbai: Maratha outfit Maratha Kranti Morcha called off their state-wide bandh, after staging intensified protests for almost two days demanding reservations in government jobs and education for the community.
The pro-reservation group, which earlier called for a peaceful strike, resorted to violence in several instances.
Earlier today, the protestors set several vehicles on fire and also vandalized public buses in Navi Mumbai’s Ghansoli and Wagle estate area of Thane, causing disruption in bus services. They also blocked a local train in Thane.
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The agitators had also pelted stones on some buses in Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas, while the police reportedly used tear gas and also resorted to lathi-charge to defuse protests in Navi Mumbai’s Kalamboli.
The protestors have now vowed to gherao the official residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadvanis in order to press for his resignation and seek finality to their demands.
The Maratha outfit wants the government to give them OBC status and not reservation because any quota, beyond the existing 50 percent, would be difficult to implement.
The quotas for Marathas has been a highly contentious issue, with the community comprising of around 30% of the state’s population.
In 2017, a huge rally was held by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in the same connection in Mumbai.
Besides reservation for the Maratha community, loan waiver, Kopardi rape, unemployment are some of the other issues against which the community is protesting.
(With ANI inputs)