Shopkeepers in central Mumbai -- Dadar, Hindmata -- downed their shutters for fear of violence. Maratha Kranti Morcha workers also asked shopkeepers to shut shop, but there were no instances of violence from these areas. In Bandra, protestors requested shopkeepers with folded hands to close their shops.


In Latur, the scene was entirely different -- the Maratha quota stir turned violent with clashes breaking out between two groups in Udgir. The clashes erupted after protesting Maratha Kranti Morcha workers allegedly forced people to shut down their shops and overturned a vegetable cart.

The Maratha community has been protesting across Maharashtra demanding reservation in government jobs and education. They have called for a bandh in the state today.

Earlier today, the protestors set several vehicles on fire and also vandalised public buses in Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli and Wagle estate area of Thane causing disruption in bus services. They also blocked a local train in Thane.

Besides reservation for the Maratha community, loan waiver, Kopardi rape, unemployment are some of the other issues against which the community is protesting. 


Image: Shops were shut at Dadar and Hindmata in central Mumbai. Pic: Sahil Salvi.