Maharashtra bandh LIVE Updates: Agitators set truck ablaze in Aurangabad, 2 protestors try to commit suicide

Maratha outfits have called for a state-wide agitation demanding reservation in government jobs and education.

Photo courtesy: Zee 24 Taas

MUMBAI: Protests intensified across Maharashtra after agitators set a truck ablaze in Aurangabad's Gangapur and two persons tried to commit suicide. The agitating outfits are demanding for reservation in government jobs and education, and martyr's status for Shinde. The state-wide bandh on Tuesday, July 24 was called a day after the death of 27-year-old protester Kakasaheb Shinde who jumped in the river. 

The community claims despite assurances state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, no concrete steps have been taken so far. The Maratha groups, however, will not stop public transport and emergency services from operating.

On Monday, the Maratha agitation took a tragic turn after a Shinde jumped to his death in Godavari river near Aurangabad.

The youth's death triggered a fresh set of protests in several parts of the state, 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.

24 July 2018

18:14 PM

Local authorities and police to assess law and order conditions tomorrow and decide whether schools and colleges will be open tomorrow in Thane, Mumbai and Raigad and nearby areas: Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde

17:41 PM

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: DCP Deepak Deoraj, PRO, Mumbai Police

16:33 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

16:32 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, says Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai

14:44 PM

Maharashtra's Muslim community have also presented their demand of 5 per cent reservation. 

13:44 PM

Two people tried to commit suicide during the ongoing Maratha stir. According to news agency ANI, one Jayant Sonavne tried to attempt suicide by jumping into the river.
The second person, Jagannath Sonavne alias Guddu, consumed poison in Deogaon Rangari in Aurangabad. Both have been admitted to the hospital.

13:38 PM

Protestors setting a truck on fire, caught on camera:

#WATCH: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers set ablaze a truck in Aurangabad's Gangapur as a mark of their protest demanding reservation for Maratha community in government jobs & education. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/OIdBJlSLpo

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

13:36 PM

Maharashtra: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers set a truck ablaze in Aurangabad's Gangapur during their protest, demanding reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education. pic.twitter.com/NiU8RmcAjD

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

13:34 PM

As protests intensify across the state, members of Maratha Kranti Morcha set a truck ablaze in Aurangabad's Gangapur. The agitators have been demanding reservation for Maratha community in government jobs and education.

13:29 PM

Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha tonsured their heads in protest. 

Maharashtra: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers tonsured their heads in Aurangabad's Gangapur during their protest demanding reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education. pic.twitter.com/OT8KnMWCXP

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

13:28 PM

Maratha Kranti Morcha workers set a truck ablaze in Aurangabad's Gangapur during their protest on Tuesday.

Maharashtra: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers set a truck ablaze in Aurangabad's Gangapur during their protest, demanding reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education. pic.twitter.com/NiU8RmcAjD

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

11:30 AM

Maharashtra bandh: Public transport, emergency services to continue operating

10:19 AM

Meanwhile, a bus carrying people to Pandharpur is stuck at Latur bus since Monday night due to the bandh.

Maha: Bus carrying people,going to take part in 'Waari' in Pandharpur,is stuck at Latur bus stand since last night due to #Maharashtra bandh. Bus conductor (pic 2)says 'We were told can go ahead on your own risk.' People say 'There's no staff here. Our money isn't being returned' pic.twitter.com/WvUez33NzY

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

09:43 AM

Rajya Sabha MP Sambhaji Raje, direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Kolhapur royal family, appealed to the Maratha community not to take the law into their own hands.

09:39 AM

Maharashtra government announces Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for Kakasaheb Shinde's family.

08:47 AM

Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha continued protesting over Shinde's death in Aurangabad. 

Aurangabad: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers continue their protest over death of a person who died after jumping off a bridge into Godavari river yesterday during 'jal samadhi agitation' in the district for reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/NmoHE0eQik

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

08:44 AM

Protesters on Monday 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. Seeking immediate announcement of reservations for the Maratha community, the protesters also sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Shinde's family.

08:40 AM

Kakasaheb Shinde, 27, a resident of Kaygaon village in Aurangabad district, jumped off a bridge over Godavari river on Monday, police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead, they said. Following his death, protestors took to streets in several parts of Maharashtra, demanding justice.

08:37 AM

In 2017, members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha took to streets to organise `silent marches` across several towns in Maharashtra, seeking reservations for Marathi people in government jobs and educational institutions.