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 IST

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 IST

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