Maharashtra Bandh Updates: Stone pelting reported in Pune; Maratha protesters gather outside Sharad Pawar's Baramati residence

Protesters on streets in Pune

A sea of protestors stormed the streets of Pune during the statewide bandh in Maharashtra on Thursday.  

Image courtesy: News18

Violence in Solapur

Protests turn violent in Solapur as protestors pelt stones on shops. Heavy police deployment seen in the area.

WATCH: Pro-Maratha protesters gather at Mumbai’s Mira Bhayander Road

Input from Ria Sharma

Stone pelting reported from Pune

Incidents of stone pelting are being reported from Somwar Peth in Pune, as per News18. In Maharashtra, protesters blocked roads in Budhgaon in Sangli, while in Mumbai, shops remained closed in Ghatkopar. 

Image courtesy: News18

Agitators hold sit-in protest outside Sharad Pawar’s residence

Demonstrators hold sit-in protest outside NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in Baramati on Thursday, according to News18. Pawar had earlier said that the Maharashtra government should not tamper with existing quotas while deciding the Maratha community’s demands. “The reservation for SC, ST and OBC (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Class) should not be touched,” he said.

7,000 policemen deployed in Pune

Over 7,000 police personnel have been deployed in Pune city, along with some companies of the State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force, to maintain law and order, Pune Commissioner of Police Venkatesham K said.

Protesters outside Mumbai collector’s office in Bandra

Maratha Kranti Morcha agitators sat outside the Mumbai Suburban Collector’s office in Bandra (East). Nanasaheb Kute, convener of the Morcha in Mumbai had earlier said, “We have decided to hold a sit-in protest outside the office of the Mumbai Suburban Collector in Bandra (East). It will be a peaceful protest from 11 am to 2 pm with protesters wearing black badges. Then, we will hand over a letter containing our demands to the collector and leave."

Mumbai: Protesters demanding #MarathaReservation gather outside Mumbai Collector office in Bandra. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/Bk0gA6Ltxb

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Shops shut in Sangli due to bandh

Shutters of shops were down in Maharashtra’s Sangli during the statewide bandh on Thursday. 

Image courtesy: News18

Protective shields put outside BEST buses

According to The Indian Express , BEST officials said that they would put up protective shields on bus windows as a precautionary measure. ““We will impose diversion on the routes or cancel services if the situation worsens,” Hanumant Gophane, BEST public relations officer said.

Given permission to protest in Vidhan Bhawan premises, claims Shiv Sena MLA

Shiv Sena MLA from Kolhapur, Prakash Abitkar, claimed on Wednesday night that he had sought permission of the state Assembly Speaker to hold an agitation in the Vidhan Bhawan premises in Mumbai today to extend support to the Maratha community’s demand for reservation. However, it was not clear whether he was granted the permission.

Schools shut in Navi Mumbai

Schools in Navi Mumbai are shut for morning and afternoon sessions, despite the township being excluded from the bandh, reported The Indian Express . The education department of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday. However, no such announcements have been made in Mumbai and its suburbs.

Protesters in Sangli during Maharashtra bandh

Members of the Maratha community can be seen staging a protest in Sangli during the statewide bandh on Thursday. 

Image courtesy: News18

500 RPF officials posted along Central Railway line

According to The Indian Express , 500 Railway Protection Force and 200 Government Railway Police officials have been posted on Thursday on the Central Railway line. They, as per the report are posted at Igatpuri, Kalyan, Kasara, Thane, Ghansoli, Kurla and Ghatkopar stations.

State-run transport partially suspended in Osmanabad and Buldhana districts

A pro-quota group in Latur blocked roads from midnight and disrupted the vehicular movement. There were similar protests in Nashik, Buldhana and Solapur districts where agitators blocked roads in some areas on Thursday morning, police officials said.

The state-run public transport services have been partially suspended in Osmanabad and Buldhana districts to avoid any damage as protesters had targeted buses in the previous round of agitation last month.

Protesters distribute roses to shopkeepers to keep their shops shut

In a unique form of protest, Maratha agitators in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area distributed roses to shopkeepers in the area as an incentive to keep their establishments shut for the day as part of the state-wide bandh.

Police deployment seen outside collector office in Bandra

The police appealed to activists to hold protests in a peaceful manner and not take law into their hands, a senior police official told PTI. 

Image courtesy: News18

Public transport services affected in Satara, petrol pumps closed

In Satara, no state transport buses were running on Thursday and all vehicles were parked at the central bus stand. All petrol pumps and vegetable markets were also closed in Satara.

Supply of vegetables affected in parts of state

Though Navi Mumbai has been excluded from the bandh, the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in the densely populated township has decided to remain shut on Thursday. 

Even as Maratha groups have excluded essential services from the bandh purview, the supply of vegetables was affected in some parts of the state, including Mumbai, APMC officials said. A vegetable seller in Mumbai’s Dadar area said the bandh was not forced on them, but they had voluntarily shut down business for the day in support of the cause, reported PTI.

Protesters disrupt road traffic in Maharashtra over Maratha quota stir

Maratha agitators disrupted road traffic in some parts of Maharashtra today as part of their statewide protests over the reservation demand. Protesters halted buses and other vehicles on roads in Latur, Jalna, Solapur and Buldhana districts, officials told PTI.

State buses not plying in Pune

State buses in Pune are reportedly not plying today, as a precautionary measure to the Maharashtra bandh called by pro-Maratha groups. Between 18-27 July, Property, including both public and private, worth more than Rs 4.5 crore was damaged within those 10 days.

Following statewide bandh called by Maratha Kranti Morcha over demand for #MarathaReservation, Buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, not plying as a precautionary measure in Pune pic.twitter.com/FDbs4VoCfO

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Heavy police presence in Chembur

No holiday for civic-run schools, says BMC control room

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has denied it has declared a holiday for municipal-run schools, but said principals have the right to declare holidays for individual schools.

Schools and colleges in Mumbai remain open, private schools announce holiday

Government-run schools and colleges in state capital Mumbai are open, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also not announced a holiday for civic workers. However, several private schools in the city have announced a holiday for their students.

Western Railway services running smoothly

As per the latest update, Western Railway services are functioning normally in Mumbai, despite the day-long pro-Maratha shutdown across Maharashtra. 

WR Mumbai Suburban services are running normal. #WRUpdates @drmbct

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) August 9, 2018

Videos, CCTV to aid in indentifying ‘mischief-mongers’, says home ministry

There would be videographing of the Maratha protests . These videos and CCTV footage will help police identify criminals and mischief-mongers who may try to take advantage and indulge in violence, a Union home ministry official said.

Internet services suspended in Pune district

As precautionary measure to avoid violence during the pro-Maratha shutdown in Maharashtra, internet services have been suspended in seven tehsils of Pune district: Shirur, Khed, Baramati, Junnar, Maval, Daund and Bhor, reported ANI.

Companies in Chakan MIDC area shut today

In view of the bandh, a majority of the commercial units in the Chakan industrial area have also decided to remain closed on Thursday. “There are over 1,000 companies in the Chakan MIDC area and majority of them have decided keep their plants and firms shut,” Chakan police station’s senior inspector Santosh Girigosavi said.

Commercial establishments shut in Mumbai’s Dadar

At Dadar market in Mumbai, commercial establishments are shut, with no vegetable vendors in the area, reported CNN-News18. However, public transportation services are running smoothly right now in the city.

2,200 policemen, 900 home guards deployed across state

According to ANI, 2,200 policemen, 900 home guards , three SRPF companies, one RAF company, 20 striking platoons have been deployed in Pune in light of the statewide protest called by Maratha Kranti Morcha over demand for Maratha reservation, said SP Pune Rural Sandip Patil.

2200 policemen, 900 home guards , 3 SRPF coy, 1 RAF company, 20 striking platoons have been deployed at Pune ahead of statewide protest called by Maratha Kranti Morcha over demand for #MarathaReservation, tomorrow: SP Pune Rural Sandip Patil

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2018

Nothing can be done on Maratha quota till 15 November, says revenue minister

On the eve of the bandh, senior minister Chandrakant Patil said on Wednesday that “nothing can be done” on their demand till 15 November. Nothing can be done till November 15, the deadline for submission of the report by the Maharashtra State Commission for the Backward Classes which has been tasked with coming up with a time-bound programme on implementing quota for the Maratha community, Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said.

Sit-in organised outside collector’s office in Mumbai’s Bandra 

Another pro-Maratha organisation, Maratha Kranti Morcha, also announced a sit-in outside the Mumbai Suburban Collector’s office in Bandra (East). Nanasaheb Kute, convener of the Morcha in Mumbai said, “We have decided to hold a sit-in protest outside the office of the Mumbai Suburban Collector in Bandra (East). It will be a peaceful protest from 11 am to 2 pm with protesters wearing black badges. Then, we will hand over a letter containing our demands to the collector and leave."

AIKS to protest from Churchgate to Hutatma Chowk

The All India Kisan Sabha has organised a protest from Churchgate Railway Station to Hutatma Chowk and a ‘jail bharo aandolan’ at 5 pm on Thursday as well. “The protest is against the BJP government’s anti-labour, Dalit and tribal policies,” said general secretary of Mumbai unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, PM Vartak.

Schools, commercial units to remain shut in Pune

Schools and colleges as well as plants of several companies will remain shut in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Thursday in view of the bandh called by the Maratha organisations over their reservation demand.

Collector Naval Kishore Ram in an order issued in Pune said there could be road blockades and processions tomorrow and the possibility of stone-pelting on vehicles and arson cannot be ruled out. Therefore, schools and colleges have been asked to remain closed and an advisory has been issued in this connection, the order said.

276 cases of violence registered 18-27 July

According to the police, between 18 and 27 July, 276 cases of violence were registered across the state during the quota agitation. There were incidents of stone pelting at over 250 places and 198 incidents of arson, an official said. Property, including both public and private, worth more than Rs 4.5 crore was damaged within those 10 days, a police official said.

No effect of bandh seen in Mumbai yet

While the state police has said it will make maximum deployment of its personnel to maintain the law and order, the effects of the Maharashtra shutdown is yet to be seen in Mumbai. 

No effect of bandh call yet in Mumbai. Visuals from GTB Nagar. #MarathaReservation pic.twitter.com/wsQ6eWCNOw

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Demands of the Maratha groups:

1. OBC status and reservation in jobs and education: The bandh is being organised despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ assurances that his government was working on providing reservation to the Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions, one that is legally sustainable. The Marathas are demanding for 16 percent reservation, along with the Other Backward Classes (OBC) tag. 

2. Changes to SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: The groups are also protesting the misuse of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 and want it to be stopped. The act provides a legal protection to SC and ST population against caste-based atrocities.

Apart from this, the groups alos want unconditional waiver of all farm loans, expdetion of 2016 Maratha girl’s rape trial, and a waiver on fees of poor Maratha students.

IndiGo Airlines issues travel advisory

As a precaution to the day-long shutdown in Maharashtra, private air-carrier IndiGo tweeted: “Due to the planned #Bandh in #Maharashtra, we are anticipating transport disruptions. Passengers are advised to keep extra time in hand while travelling to/from the airport.”

#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to the planned #Bandh in #Maharashtra, we are anticipating transport disruptions. Passengers are advised to keep extra time in hand while travelling to/from the airport.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 8, 2018

Colleges to remain shut in Latur, Hingoli, Parbhani, Nanded 

Colleges in Marathwada’s Latur, Hingoli, Parbhani and Nanded will remain shut today in view of the Maharashtra bandh, called by pro-Maratha groups. According to CNN-News18, some private schools in Mumbai have also announced that they will not be working today.

Bandh called over demand for 16% quota for Marathas

The bandh is being organised despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ assurances that his government was working on providing reservation to the Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions, one that is legally sustainable. 

Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 percent of the state’s population, have been demanding 16 percent reservation. The community members had earlier taken out silent marches across the state to highlight their demands, prominent among them being that of reservation.

Bandh from 8 am to 6 pm

Amol Jadhavrao, a leader of Sakal Maratha Samaj said, “It will be a peaceful protest from 8 am to 6 pm. I appeal to my fellow Maratha youths to desist from committing suicides. It is not going to help the community and its cause.”

Navi Mumbai exempt from bandh

Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella body of Maratha groups, on Wednesday said the bandh would be observed across Maharashtra, except Navi Mumbai , on Thursday. “It will be a state-wide bandh, excluding Navi Mumbai. All the essential services, schools and colleges have been excluded from the bandh,” Amol Jadhavrao, a leader of Sakal Maratha Samaj told reporters.

“Due to some sensitive issues, we have decided not to observe the bandh in Navi Mumbai,” he said.

6 companies of RAF, one each of CISF, SRPF deployed in sensitive areas

The Maharashtra government has deployed six companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), one company each of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) at sensitive locations, the official said.

Home Guard personnel are also being deployed to assist the police at various places, he said. Maximum number of local police personnel will be deployed across the metro cities and at sensitive locations in Aurangabad rural, Pune rural and western Maharashtra, he said.

Elaborate security arrangements ahead of bandh

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of today’s Maharashtra bandh called by the pro-quota Maratha organisations, a senior police official said. The protests held by Maratha groups last month had witnessed large-scale violence and arson in various parts of the state.