The bandh called by the Maratha groups on Thursday has had minimal impact in Mumbai and Thane. Aapli buses go off the road in Nagpur leaving people stranded.
Places in Marathwada, western Maharashtra, Thane and Navi Mumbai had witnessed maximum violence during bandhs called by Maratha organisations in late June to press the community's demand for reservation. Old Pune-Mumbai highway at Kanhe Phata and Vadgaon Maval blocked by protestors. complete bandh in Hinjewadi village which is home to Rajiv Gandhi IT park. Buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, not plying as a precautionary measure in Pune. Isolated incidents of attacks on buses have been reported in Pune, Kolhapur and Beed.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, one of the groups leading the agitation, has declared that the bandh would exclude Navi Mumbai and Thane. The bandh organisers also claim the agitation would not affect the functioning of schools, colleges and essential services. However, educational institutions were reported to be shut in Navi Mumbai. Some media reports claimed that Maratha leaders had stated there won't be any disruption to life in Mumbai.
Maximum number of police personnel will be deployed across the metro cities and at sensitive locations in Aurangabad Rural, Pune Rural and western Maharashtra, a police official said. The bandh by Maratha groups is expected to end at 6pm.
District authorities in Pune ordered the closure of schools and colleges and cautioned IT companies to either declare a holiday or enforce contingency measures such as early arrival and departure of employees on account of the bandh by Maratha groups. Approximately 15,000 police personnel have been deployed in Pune Rural and City areas. Some local bus services in Pune have been suspended or routes altered on account of the Maratha bandh.
The Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state's population, have been demanding 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and education.
(With PTI inputs)