Maharashtra bandh Day 2 Live updates: Maratha Kranti Morcha calls off Mumbai bandh over demand in govt jobs, education

Stone-pelting and arson were reported from several parts of the state, with protestors clashing with police and torching vehicles at several places.

ANI photo

Mumbai: The ongoing Maratha agitation intensified following the death of another protester Jagannath Sonavne on Wednesday morning. Following his death, protestors blocked roads and vehicular movement in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. With this, the overall death toll in Maratha reservation stir has reached three -- two protestors, one constable.

The agitating outfits are demanding quota in government jobs and education for Marathas along with martyr status for protestor Kakasaheb Shinde who jumped to his death in Godavari river near Aurangabad on Monday, and an apology from Fadnavis government. 

Several outfits including Maratha Kranti Samaj called for a 'peaceful' bandh on Wednesday. Protestors have also called for a Mumbai bandh. This comes a day after large-scale violence marred the agitation, leading to the death of a constable and nine other policemen injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators. 

Stone-pelting and arson were reported from several parts of the state, with protestors clashing with police and torching vehicles at few places. Internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad district to prevent any untoward incident. In Jalna, the police fired in the air to scatter protesters.

On Monday, the Maratha agitation took a tragic turn after a 26-year-old protestor Shinde jumped to his death in Godavari river near Aurangabad. The youth's death triggered a fresh set of violent protests in several parts of the state.

25 July 2018

18:04 IST

Maharashtra police shoots tear gas on Maratha Kranti Morcha's protesters who were blocking the Mumbai-Pune Highway in Kalamboli over demand for reservation in govt jobs and education, earlier today. The organisation has called off Mumbai Bandh now.

18:03 IST

Harshvardhan Jadhav, Shiv Sena MLA from Kannad (Aurangabad) constituency, has offered his resignation to Vidhan Sabha speaker via mail over Maratha Reservation issue. He has left for Mumbai and will be giving a physical copy to Vidhansabha speaker.