Maratha Kranti Morcha: Protests take a violent turn in Pune

The Maratha groups in Maharashtra had called for a state wide bandh today. However, cities such as Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai were exempted from the bandh. The protestors had assured that after the violence in the last bandh, this would be a peaceful protest. It was a messy atmosphere since late on Wednesday night that Mumbai was dropped from list of cities or towns where bandh was decided to be declared. In some places, protestors covered their eyes and mouths with black ribbons during the protests.

Nashik, Thane and Navi Mumbai will not be closed but for the reasons of safety, schools have been closed in Thane and Navi Mumbai. The APMC market in Navi Mumbai has also been closed. The protestors turned up at the Collector’s office in Kalanagar, Bandra East demanding the quota.

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

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

In Pune however, the protests turned violent as they broke down the gate of the Collector’s office and entered inside. Several other places in Pune also reported instances of stone-pelting.

Mumbai: Protesters cover their eyes and mouth with black ribbons during protest demanding #MarathaReservation #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/Lll8eHn66d

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Milk delivery, school-college and medical services were excluded from this bandh and it was announced that the bandh would operate from 8 am to 6 pm. During the Maratha Kranti March on July 25, the situation in Navi Mumbai and Thane went out of control and hence these cities were shut.

Also Read: Maratha Kranti Morcha: Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai exempted from bandh