Maharashtra Bandh: Sion-Panvel highway cleared for traffic as Maratha groups call off shutdown

Sion-Panvel highway cleared for traffic 

The Sion-Panvel highway which was blocked by protesters at the Kalamboli junction and Vashi has been cleared now, CNN News18 reported.

Recap: Three policemen got injured during violent protests in Navi Mumbai and Satara

​ Violence marred the Maratha community’s bandh on Wednesday as protesters threw stones at policemen in Navi Mumbai and Satara district, injuring three personnel. The police retaliated and cane-charged protesters, fired plastic bullets and lobbed tear gas shells at them, an official said. Satara’s Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil sustained a minor injury while two policemen were injured at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.

Recap: Miscreants pelted stones and set a bus ablaze in Mankhurd

Angry protestors set a BEST bus on fire in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area. The fire was extinguished by fire tenders.

Mumbai: Miscreants pelted stones & set a bus ablaze in Mankhurd during #MarathaQuotaStir. Fire has now been extinguished by fire tenders. pic.twitter.com/HA3jP9t05L

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Recap: Heavy stone-pelting took place during the Maharashtra Bandh on the Sion-Panvel Highway

Earlier on Wednesday, protests had turned violent near the Sion-Panvel highway as protestors hurled stones and police had to resort to lathicharge.

Mumbaikars take a musical break in between the chaos

Earlier on Wednesday, some people took to the road and played music amid the traffic jam caused by the bandh.

Mumbai Bhand, Road block and stuck in traffic... NO PROBLEM!! We have people to entertain and easy the pressure!!! Spirit of Mumbai rocks!! @mumbairoads @RidlrMUM @navimumbaicv @RoadsOfMumbai @hashMumbai pic.twitter.com/J9kSzJII7X

— Sid S (@LegendSid) July 25, 2018

Train services between Thane-Vashi/Nerul on the Trans-Harbour line interrupted

Due to unavoidable circumstances, train services between Thane-Vashi/Nerul on Transharbour line is not running. Further updates will follow.@RidlrMUM @mumbairailusers @m_indicator @drmmumbaicr

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) July 25, 2018

Deepak Kesarkar to take action on violence reported during the Maratha protests

As protests turn violent in Satara, Maharashtra’s minister of state for home (Rural) Deepak Kesarkar said he is looking into the matter as reports of untoward incidents are being reported from some parts of the state, CNN-News18 reported.

Maratha groups on instances of violence

“The areas that we had designated for protests have seen no instances of violence. The cases of violence that are being reported are from areas where we hadn’t organised protests,” Maratha Kranti Morcha said on Wednesday.

Maratha Kranti Morcha’s address to the press as they call off Wednesday’s bandh

#BREAKING -- Maratha Kranti Morcha has called off #MumbaiBandh | #MarathaQuotaStir #MarathasGroundMumbai pic.twitter.com/NMAuwP1ho1

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

Maratha groups call off bandh

“We only wanted to prove that we are together. We never wanted protests to get violent,” the groups told the press as they called off the state-wide bandh on Wednesday.

Police resorts to blank fire in Navi Mumbai

Tension has gripped Navi Mumbai as protests turn violent; police had to fire in the air to disperse the crowd, CNN-News18 reported. A BEST bus, with 15 passengers was also set ablaze by violent mob in Mankhurd. All the travellers have been reported to be safe.

Lawyer Satish Maneshinde to support Maratha Kranti Morcha in Court

Prominent lawyer Satish Maneshinde vowed to fight the Marathas’ cases pro bono, CNN-News18 reported. “As a supporter of their cause and a member of the Maratha Kranti Morcha, I will appear pro bono for every such Maratha before any court in Maharashtra,” Maneshinde said.

NCP’s Supriya Sule raises issue of maratha reservation Parliament, asks government to cooperate

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule raised the issue of Maratha reservation in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. She asked the government to support the protestors’ demands.

Protests turn violent in Karjat; police lathicharges agitators Kalamboli

Protests have turned violent in Ahmednagar’s Karjat area. Meanwhile, police lathicharged agitators in Kalamboli, News18 reported.

Protestors try to stop train in Navi Mumbai’s Ghansoli area 

According to local media reports, scores of Maratha protesters forcibly got onto a train in Ghansoli and tried to halt it.

Maratha Kranti Morcha to hold a press briefing at 2 pm in Dadar

The Mumbai coordinator of the Maratha Kranti Morcha will address a press conference in Mumbai’s Dadar at 2 pm on Wednesday, according to News18.

Solapur district kept out of the bandh due to rush of Lord Vitthal temple devotees in Pandharpur 

Solapur district was kept out of the Maharshtra Bandh due to the rush of devotees to Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur town

Agriculture Produce Market in Navi Mumbai remained shut as ‘Mathadi’ workers supported the bandh

The Agriculture Produce Market (APMC) at Turbhe in Navi Mumbai was also closed as a union of ‘mathadi’ workers supported the Maharshtra bandh . Commercial establishments remained shut in some areas of Ahmednagar city.

Stones pelted at trains passing through Thane and Ghansoli, situation now normal

Agitators 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. “There were isolated incidents at Thane and Ghansoli after 9.59 am. The situation normalised at 10.24 am,” CR’s chief PRO Sunil Udasi told PTI.

Trains stopped on Western and Central Railway but services resume

Contrary to their previous peaceful agitations, this time the protesters tried to stop local trains on the Central Railway (CR) and the Western Railway (WR) corridors. “A few protesters stopped trains on fast line at Jogeshwari at 9.16 am, however, they were removed from the track and train services resumed at 9.24 am, railway officials told PTI.

Shops shut in Mumbai; stones hurled, tyres burnt in Thane 

In Mumbai’s Bandra, Matunga and Mulund, protesters marched on roads and were seen requesting shopkeepers with folded hands to close their establishments.

But in thane city, stones were hurled on two public transport buses in Wagle Estate area and agitators burnt tyres on the arterial Ghodbunder Road, PTI reported.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale speaks in favour of Maratha reservation 

I support #MarathaReservation demand. I appeal protesters to protest peacefully. We need to make a law in parliament and raise reservation cap from 50% to 75%, will also raise this issue in NDA: Union Minister & Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athawale pic.twitter.com/rPBt5JRgwW

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Mumbai-Pune Expressway blocked; trains between Thane and Vashi may be suspended

Protesters have also blocked Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Kalamboli. Certain media reports claim that Central Railway has announced to shut services between Thane and Vashi, News18 reported.

Autos carry the Maratha Morch flag in Borivali East

Video courtesy: Firstpost/Omkar Patne

Mumbai’s Mulund East road blocked by protestors 

Video courtesy: Firstpost/Omkar Patne

Protests intensify in Mumbai’s Worli, agitators shave their heads 

#MarathasGroundMumbai -- Maximum city under siege. Quota protests intensify in Worli. Protesters shave their heads in protest | ground report: @radhika1705

Get #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/nOVG5YFcW1 pic.twitter.com/kCkieaRVy6

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

Maratha Kranti Morcha members start a grand march in Kalyan

Thousands of Maratha Kranti Morcha workers have commenced their ‘grand march’ in Kalyan, CNN News18 reported.

Maratha Kranti Morcha members have blocked the Eastern Expressway in Chembur

Mumbai: Workers of #MarathaKrantiMorcha block Eastern Expressway in Chembur during their agitation for #MarathaReservation pic.twitter.com/5faqGPoYfs

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Shops in Dadar to remain closed; essential services to resume

The shops in Dadar, which were shut down around 11 am, will continue to remain closed. However, essential services have been resumed, CNN News18 reports.

Protestors in Sangli end ‘_Jal Samadh_i’ in Krishna river

Maratha agitators in Sangli have ended their ‘jal samadhi’ in the Krishna river, CNN News18 reported.

Nine BEST buses damaged in various areas of Mumbai; Western Express Highway blocked by protestors

Nine BEST buses have been damaged in Kurla, Bhandup, Andheri, Sakinaka, Kandivali, Koparkhairane and Chandivali areas of Mumbai while Western Express Highway has also been blocked by protestors, CNN News18 reports.

Protestor flaunts Balasaheb Thackeray’s tattoo during protest

A Shiv Sena protester shows her tattoo of Late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray while participating in the Maharashtra Bandh in Mumbai.

Image courtesy: CNN News18

Recap: Police constable had died during violent protests in Aurangabad on Tuesday 

Sham Atgaonkar, a police constable from Osmanabad who was deployed on duty at Kaygaon, died soon after a commotion which followed after stone pelting, the police said. Another constable was injured in the stone pelting.

Recap: Political reactions come in as Maratha agitation turns violent in Maharashtra 

The Shiv Sena had said that it supports the call for reservation for Maratha community and urged those “who promised reservation” to come out in support of the issue.

BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Chhatrapati said, “The issue of Maratha reservations is of utmost importance. The chief minister should not ignore it.”

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan said, “The Fadnavis-led government is engaged in an attempt to paint the protesting Maratha community members as criminals and this attempt is infuriating.”

Recap: Maratha groups have been holding protests since last few days, had demanded CM’s resignation

In the last few days, protests have taken place in Buldhana, Akola, Parali and Washim areas of Maharashtra. The Maratha community leaders had earlier also taken out several rallies in various districts to highlight their demands.

Last year, a huge rally was organised by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in Mumbai. And the community leaders have claimed that despite assurances from the Fadnavis government to fulfil the demands, nothing concrete has been done till now. Various Maratha organisations had held massive ‘silent marches’ across the state in 2017 for various demands, including reservation.

Shortage of Ola, Uber cabs also being reported in Mumbai

According to several media reports, there is a shortage of Ola and Uber cabs on roads in Mumbai. In most localities residents are unable to book any cab due to non-availability. Those plying are charging 2x surge price.

Shops shut in Nashik, protestors raise slogan in Shalimar area

Shops have been shut in Maharashtra’s Nashik district as well. Meanwhile, protesters gathered in Shalimar area and raised slogans near the Ambedkar statue in the presence of police personnel, according to a CNN New18 report.

Protestors block traffic near Raigad district, traffic affected on Mumbai-Goa highway

Commuters travelling on Mumbai-Goa highway from Panvel are facing inconvenience as protesters have blocked traffic near Raigad district, according to CNN News18.

Akola city also affected by Maharashtra Bandh, even schools and colleges are shut 

Agitated protests have crippled services in Maharashtra’s Akola as city’s main market, schools and colleges have been completely shut, CNN News18 reported.

Shops have been shut since morning in Mumbai’s Borivali East area

Image courtesy: Firstpost/Hrushikesh Berde

Maratha groups are demanding reservation under the OBC category in public jobs and educational institutes

The Maratha leaders have placed several demands before the state which include reservation for the Maratha community under OBC category and strict action against people involved in Kopardi rape and killing of a minor girl. 

Members of the Dhangar community have been demanding reservation under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Whereas, Marathas, a politically influential community in the state, have been demanding quota in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

There is no impact on railway services in Pune, all trains are plying normally: Pune railway PRO

The Pune Railway PRO has informed that all trains are functioning as usual in the region, no delays are expected, ANI reported

Protesters block Eastern Expressway, raise slogans against CM in Mulund

#MarathasGroundMumbai -- Maratha quota stir spills onto the streets of Mumbai; Protesters block Eastern Expressway. Traffic has been blocked and anti-CM slogans raised | @vinivdvc with ground report from Mulund

Get #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/WBZ8wT0lmB pic.twitter.com/0DZYnOcuhD

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

It will take four more months for a report to come out on the issue: Backward Class Commission 

Meanwhile, even as the Maratha agitation for reservation has intensified in the state, the Backward Class Commission said that it would take at least four more months to give its report on the issue. “The backward class commission is a statutory body and hence we cannot give a time limit to them. But the member secretary informed us that it will take four months to present the report,” Principal Secretary of Social Justice Department, Dinesh Waghmare said.

Protestors block traffic in Kandivali’s East Sambhaji Nagar, not allowing vehicles to go to highway

Image courtesy: Firstpost/Ashish Patil

Clashes break out in Latur, police contain situation

According to ANI , clashes have broken out between two groups in Udgir in Maharshtra’s Latur district when one group was forcibly trying to get people to shut shops and overturned a vegetable cart while attempting to enforce Maharashtra bandh. Police has reached the spot and the situation has been controlled.

 In Mumbai’s Mulund, protesters are demanding answers from state govt and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis

#MumbaiBandh today over Maratha quota stir. #LIVE visuals of protest from Mulund. Protesters demand answers from @Dev_Fadnavis' government | ground report: @vinivdvc

Get #LIVE updates from the bandh here: https://t.co/WBZ8wT0lmB pic.twitter.com/iKcJ4NHmc7

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

‘All lines working normal on Western Railway suburban section’, WR tweets to inform citizens

A few protesters stopped the trains on UP fast line at Jogeshwari at 9.16 hrs. However, they were removed from the track & train started at 9.24 hrs. All lines working normal on WR suburban section. #WRUpdates @drmbct

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) July 25, 2018

Five people arrested in Vikhroli, taken to Parksite police station 

Five people have been detained at the Parksite police station, CNN News18 reported.

Maratha Kranti Morcha members block local trains in Thane

#MarathaReservation protests: Workers of #MarathaKrantiMorcha block a local train in Thane pic.twitter.com/cotagpKpzp

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Maratha group leaders request shopkeepers in Bandra to shut down their shops

Mumbai: A group of Maratha Kranti Morcha workers request with folded hands, the shopkeepers in Bandra to shut their shops. #MaharashtraBandh pic.twitter.com/zVcHM6b3WV

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Roads blocked in Kandivali region, protestors deny entry to vehicles despite police presence

Roads have been blocked in Mumbai’s Kandivali East area. According to media reports, protesters are not allowing any vehicles to move.

Aurangabad protestor who consumed poison on Tuesday, dies in hospital 

Jagannath Sonavne, a protester who attempted suicide by consuming poison on Tuesday in Aurangabad’s Deogaon Rangari, died in the hospital on Wednesday morning, ANI reported.

Peaceful protests being held in Mumbai’s Dadar and Chembur areas

Meanwhile, peaceful protests are being held in Dadar and Chembur as of now, according to a CNN News18 report.

Buses stopped near Jogeshwari station by protestors

Protesters also tried to stop BEST buses outside the Jogeshwari station, CNN News18 reported.

Vegetable supply in Navi Mumbai and Powai hit by Maharashtra bandh

According to local media reports, a meeting of Maratha outfits was held at Mathadi Bhavan in Vashi on Wednesday morning where it was decided that vegetable market would remain closed on Wednesday in Navi Mumbai and Panvel. The supply of onion, potato, spices and other grains would be affected, however, the fruit market is expected to not be affected.

Protestors set ablaze bus tyres in Maharashtra’s Thane district

#MarathaReservation protests: Tires set ablaze on Majiwada bridge in Thane. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/2sTPFB1zRo

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

BEST buses attacked in Mumbai’s Kanjurmarg and Bhandup area; Thane district also affected 

Protesters attacked public buses in Mumbai’s Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas and the neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai. In view of the stone-pelting, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport partially suspended its services in those areas and expects to resume it when the situation improves, an official of the transport body said. A bus was also attacked in Ghansoli area of Navi Mumbai.

Police assures of all necessary deployments being in place for the Maharashtra Bandh

“All the necessary deployments have been put in place. We have also instructed our vigilance teams to keep a watch at sensitive pockets. We have told them to protest peacefully. The situation should be brought under control at the earliest. The CM should invite prominent representatives from the community participating in the protest for talks and start the process of resolving the stand-off. There was never any law and order issue." DCP Deepak Deoraj, PRO, Mumbai Police told CNN News18.

Recap: Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire was attacked by angry protestors in Aurangabad on Tuesday 

Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire faced the ire of the protestors when he went to attend Kakasaheb Shinde’s last rites at his Kaygaon village in Aurangabad on Tuesday. Khaire was manhandled by the crowd and stones were pelted on his car.

Members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha forcefully shut shops on Thane’s Gokhale Road

#MarathaReservation protests: Workers of #MarathaKrantiMorcha forcibly shut shops on Thane 's Gokhale road pic.twitter.com/Efqoow9sp0

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Some Maratha leaders have been detained by the police in Ghatkopar 

#MarathasGroundMumbai -- Maratha protesters being detained by police in Ghatkopar | ground report: @vinivdvc

Get #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/cSBJbc23PV pic.twitter.com/d5RgjdAsf6

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

We are carrying out a peaceful protest, have asked people to close their shops: Maratha leaders

“We are not blocking any road. We are carrying out a peaceful protest. We have told our workers that there should be no inconvenience to the police or the government due to our protest. We are asking people to shut down their shops,” a Maratha Kranti Morcha leader told ANI.

A few protestors have been arrested in the Ghatkopar area 

According to CNN News18, the police has arrested some protestors in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area.

A Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) bus was vandalised by protestors in Wagle estate area of Thane

#MarathaReservation protest: A Thane Municipal Transport(TMT) bus vandalised in Wagle estate area of Thane. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/IzMutlrp4l

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

67 AC buses halted for the Maharashtra Bandh 

Municipal Transportation Committee has halted 67 AC buses as a precautionary measure. However, other buses are plying as usual, CNN News18 reported.

Shutdown being observed across the state; Mumbai, Thane most affected

#MarathasGroundMumbai | Mumbai bandh today over Maratha quota stir. Protesters block traffic in Thane. Security stepped up across the state

Get #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/BZUKhU2DBg pic.twitter.com/CFDL4RthhR

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018

Police personnel deployed in large numbers outside BJP’s party office in Mumbai

#Maharashtra: Police deployed outside BJP office in Mumbai in wake of #MarathaReservation protests pic.twitter.com/3aKKvR7Xkz

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Recap: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis holds meeting with Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission

Earlier, on Tuesday evening, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly held a high-level meeting with the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission on to review the progress made on the quota issue. The Congress-NCP government had first issued an ordinance to provide 16 percent quota to Marathas in jobs in 2014 but it was struck down by the high court. Later in 2015, when the Fadnavis government brought in a legislation to reinstate the quota, the high court put a stay. The government then decided to refer the matter to the Commission.

Peaceful protests being organised in Thane region 

#MarathaReservation protest enters day 2: Visuals from Thane's Teen Haath Naka. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/3eaOT1ziUi

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Recap: Protests had turned violent after protestor Kakasaheb Shinde’s death who had jumped in Godavari river

Following death of youth activist Kakasaheb Shinde, who drowned after jumping in the Godavari river in Aurangabad during protests on Monday, Maratha outfits called for a state-wide bandh on Tuesday. While it was a success in Marathwada (central Maharashtra), it was not observed in many parts of the state, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and a Maharshtra bandh was then called on Wednesday.

Heavy police deployment seen in various parts of Mumbai, train stations

Image courtesy_:_ Twitter/@LocalPressCo

Visuals from parts of Mumbai during the Maratha Kranti Morcha’s Maharshtra Bandh

#Maharashtra: Visuals from parts of Mumbai as strike called by
Maratha Kranti Morcha enters the second day. pic.twitter.com/xmKqDv1t7Q

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018

Mumbai’s Dabbawala Association sends message to people observing Maharashtra Bandh

BEST bus service suspended from Airoli to Vashi as protestors hurled stones on two buses

Protesters pelted stones on two BEST buses near Navi Mumbai’s Ghansoli on Wednesday morning. BEST bus services from Airoli to Vashi have been completely stopped in light of the Maharashtra bandh, ANI reported.

Recap: Violence spread in Aurangabad on Tuesday; three agitators attempted suicide, policeman died

Large-scale violence had took place on Tuesday in Maharashtra, where a constable died and nine other policemen were injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators. Agitators clashed with the police and torched vehicles at several places, while Internet services were suspended in some areas of Aurangabad district.

Shops shut in various parts of city but local trains and buses run as per schedule

While shops have been shut since morning in parts of Goregaon, Thane and Navi Mumbai, the trains and BEST buses are plying as usual. However, there are lesser cabs and autos on road with heavy police presence across the state.

Peaceful shutdown to be observed in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Palghar

The Maratha groups have planned protests in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Palghar. A pro-reservation Maratha leader had said that they would continue their agitation until Devendra Fadnavis apologised to the community over his remarks that the community planned to spread violence in Pandharpur.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar asks Devendra Fadnavis to have dialogue with agitating Maratha leaders
 

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to hold talks with representatives of the Maratha outfits to end the ongoing stand-off over the quota demand.