Maharashtra: Security beefed up as Marathas call shutdown on completion of 2 years of their agitation today

Marathwada, western Maharashtra, Thane and Navi Mumbai had witnessed maximum violence during a bandh called by Maratha organisations last month to press the community's demand for reservation.

Image courtesy: PTI/ File

Maharashtra: On the occasion of completion of two years of Maratha agitation in demand for reservation in education and jobs; the group has called a shutdown in the state on Thursday. The shutdown however won’t have an impact on schools, colleges and important services. To ensure no incident of violence erupts during shutdown, the Maharashtra police have beefed up the security arrangements; as the protests held by Maratha groups last month had witnessed large-scale violence and arson in various parts of the state; including vandalism and torching of vehicles. The government has deployed six companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), one company each of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) at sensitive locations, the official said on Wednesday. Home Guard personnel are also being deployed to assist the police at various places. Maximum number of local police personnel will be deployed across the metro cities and at sensitive locations in Aurangabad rural, Pune rural and western Maharashtra, he said. Marathwada, western Maharashtra, Thane and Navi Mumbai had witnessed maximum violence during a bandh called by Maratha organisations last month to press the community's demand for reservation. The police are likely to videograph the protests and maintain a strict vigil in various areas in Mumbai and other parts through CCTV cameras. Police personnel in plainclothes will also be deployed among the protesters, he said. The police will also keep an eye on social media posts during the shutdown, the official said, adding that a call to suspend internet service in an area will be taken depending upon the situation.