Maratha quota agitation intensifies as protesters set trucks on fire

The quota agitation in Maharashtra has intensified after a protester in Aurangabad died after jumping into the Godavari river. The protesters are demanding reservation for Maratha community in government jobs and educational institutions.

The 27-year-old protester, Kakasaheb Shinde was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead, police said. As a mark of their protest, Maratha Kranti Morcha workers today set ablaze a truck in Aurangabad's Gangapur.

Following today's instances of vandalism and heightened law and order situation, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged all groups to maintain calm and not take law into their own hands.


The Maratha Kranti Morcha had yesterday demanded an apology from Fadnavis for alleging that some members from the community were planning violence at Pandharpur town in Solapur district, where the chief minister was earlier scheduled to perform puja at a temple on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'.


Shinde's death had 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.

Internet services in Aurangabad were suspended. A police constable suffered a heart attack and died on the spot while preventing crowds from going berserk.

In Nanded, police "lathicharged" protesters who tried to attack a police vehicle. Two protesters in Beed locked out the staff of a tehsil office and tried to jump off the building but were stopped by police personnel.

The protesters have called for a bandhi in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Raigad tomorrow.

The community leaders had earlier taken out several rallies in various districts to highlight their demands. Last year, a huge rally was organised by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in this connection in Mumbai.