Various Maratha groups have called for a bandh (shutdown) on Tuesday in Maharashtra demanding reservation in government jobs and education. Much to the relief of common people, the protesting groups have announced that they will not disturb the supply of essential commodities such as milk and vegetables and also public transport would be allowed to run smoothly.
Violence has been reported from Aurangabad, Parbhani and Latur where the protesting mob have torched several vehicles and even resorted to stone pelting on the police force. At least people also attempted suicide in Aurangabad. Both of them have been hospitalised.
Kakasaheb Shinde, a resident of Kaygaon village in Aurangabad district, jumped off a bridge over Godavari river, police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead, they said.
The incident came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he was cancelling his visit, scheduled today, to a temple in Pandharpur after protesting Maratha outfits threatened to disrupt the event.
Shinde's death triggered a fresh set of protests in several parts of Maharashtra, with opposition leaders seeking to put the onus on the BJP-led government in the state.
Protesters blocked the Ahmednagar-Aurangabad highway and damaged a dozen vehicles, including a police van and a bus, in Gangakhed tehsil of Parbhani district.
They refused to take possession of Shinde's body and demanded the resignation of Fadnavis. They held a sit-in protest at the Gangapur police station in Aurangabad district, demanding that criminal case be filed against the Chief Minister over Shinde's death.
Highlights:
04:25 pm: We will observe a peaceful bandh tomorrow. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad to be bandh tomorrow. Schools and colleges will not be included in this bandh as we do not intend to trouble anyone: Maratha Kranti Samaj
04:18 pm: Maratha reservation has been delayed. How the court will react to it must be kept mind. Shiv Sena supports Maratha reservation. People who promised reservation to solve the issue should come forward: Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai
03:53 pm: Protestors call for Mumbai bandh for tomorrow, Wednesday. Apart from medical services, schools, colleges, milk vendors and other emergency services, everyone asked to observe peaceful bandh.
03:52 pm: Maratha Morcha and Maratha Mahasangh conduct meeting to decide future course of action. Maratha Kranti Morcha to stage protest in Mumbai's neighbouring Thane, Navi Mumbai and Palghar. The portesting organisations say that the CM is responsible for the death of youth named Kakasaheb Shinde and pledge to boycott him.
03:43 pm: Aurangabad: Cop killed in stone-pelting by protestors. The deceased identified as constable Shyam Katgaonker, who was posted at Usmanabad.
02:52 pm: I appeal to the people,please maintain peace we can solve it by a peaceful dialogue,15 lakh pilgrims are in Pandharpur for Wari,they should not face problems in going back to their homes: Deepak Kesarkar, MoS Maharastra on violence erupted over the demand of Maratha reservation
1:51 pm:
01:50 pm: At least two people attempt suicide in Auranganad demanding reservation in jobs and education. One Jayant Sonavne attempted suicide by jumping into river and another man identified as Jagannath Sonavne alias Guddu consumed poison in Deogaon Rangari in Aurangabad. Both of them have been hospitalised.
01:47 pm:
01:06 pm: Agitators burn fire brigade vehicle in Aurangabad, resort to stone pelting on police.
01:05 pm: Violence reported from Aurangabad, Parbhani and Latur districts. Protesters set fire to several vehicles in Latur. Curfew imposed in town.
12:00 pm:
11:10 am: Angry locals prevent Aurangabad MP Chandrakant Khaire from attending last rites of Kakasaheb Shinde, who jumped off a bridge over Godavari river, on Tuesday during agitation. Khaire taken out of the cremation ground under police cordon. Locals warn leaders against taking political mileage of Shinde's death.
08:41 am:
08:10 am: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh holds Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responsible for the uproar over Maratha reservation.
"Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is himself responsible for facing the ire of the Maratha and Dhangar communities on the issue of reservation. He himself had promised to resolve the issue within a month," Digvijaya Singh said.
08:00 am:
WATCH: Maratha groups call bandh demanding reservation in govt jobs, education
(With inputs from PTI)
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