Violence was witnessed in parts of Maharashtra as Maratha groups tried to enforce their daylong strike today. The community has been demanding reservation in jobs and education. Protesters have blocked arterial roads, including the Eastern Expressway leading to Mumbai and forced shops to shut in pockets of Raigad.

Local train routes have been blocked in Jogeshwari and near Thane. Violent protests erupted in parts of the state on Tuesday after a protester committed suicide by jumping into a river in Aurangabad. Massive security arrangements are in place in Mumbai; schools and colleges remain open.

The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation, is expected to take the protests to Mumbai where it has called for the shutdown. Another group, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for a bandh today in Navi Mumbai and Panvel as well. Stones were thrown at two buses in Navi Mumbai where shops remained closed in many parts.

Protesters blocked Mumbai-bound traffic on Eastern Expressway this morning.

One constable died and nine other policemen were injured in stone-throwing on Tuesday when protesters clashed with the police and torching vehicles.

The protests were triggered by the death of a 28-year-old man, Kakasaheb Dattatreya Shind, who jumped into the Godavari River on Monday. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead, police said.

Shiv Sena lawmaker Chandrakant Khaire was manhandled by protesters in Aurangabad yesterday when he went to attend the last rites of the farmer.

(Featured Image – Zee News)