Maharashtra bandh highlights: Protestors disrupt traffic at several places in the state

The Maratha agitation’s state-level co-ordinators called for a Maharashtra bandh on Thursday. One of the groups of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (MMK) has called for a sit-in outside the suburban collector’s office at Bandra, while another faction has announced a bandh demanding 16% reservation for the community in education and government jobs. The faction that has given the call for a bandh clarified the shutdown will be non-violent. The group’s leaders said essential services such as supply of milk, vegetables, and schools and colleges will be exempted.Here are the highlights:

3:20pm IST

Maratha community members shout slogans during a protest in Mumbai, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018. (AP)

Protestors disrupt traffic at several places in the state: PTI

Protesters halted buses and other vehicles on roads in Latur, Jalna, Solapur and Buldhana districts. They blocked the Madha-Shetfal road, which connects to National Highway No. 9 (Pune-Hyderabad) in Solapur district, officials said : PTI 

1:50pm IST

Maratha protestor detained at Chembur

Maratha Kranti Morcha activist detained near Chembur Panjrapole area.

1:45pm IST

Train halted briefly at Lonavla station

Coimbatore express was halted by protestors at Lonavla station of central railway. The train later left after protestors moved from the tracks.

1:40pm IST

BEST buses diverted

BEST buses diverted on nine routes in Ghatkopar, Bhayander, Chunabhatti and Barve Nagar, fearing protests.

1:20pm IST

Shops shut in Thane

Some shops are closed at Ramchandra Nager, Thane.

Market in Thane’s Ramchandra Nagar during Maharashtra bandh called by some Maratha organisations on August 9, 2018. ( Praful Gangurde/ HT Photo )

12:55pm IST

Protest at Kalyan

Maratha protestors stage protest at Kalyan Tehsildar office

12:15pm IST

AC buses off the roads in Thane

Thane Municipal Transport keeps Air Conditioned buses off the roads. These have been replaced with non-AC buses

12:07pm IST

Extra police deployment at prime spots in Thane

Around 500 extra policemen have been deployed on prime spots within Thane commissionerate.

12:05pm IST

No disruptions anywhere in Thane: Police

Thane Police says there is no disruption anywhere in the city. Though there were protest at five places but those were silent protests.

11:50am IST

Protest in Panvel peaceful

Protest by a Maratha group outside Panvel tehsildar office has been peaceful so far.

Protest by a Maratha group at Panvel Tehsildar office ( HT Photo )

11:25am IST

Maratha group volunteers stage sit-in at Panvel

Maratha Sakal Morcha volunteers stage sit-in dharna at Panvel Tehsildar office

11:20am IST

Situation peaceful in Raigad district

Situation is peaceful in Raigad district, but some protests are going on near Urse toll naka, towards Pune.

10:50am IST

Navi Mumbai schools ordered shut by the civic body

Schools in Navi Mumbai were ordered shut by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The Panvel municipal corporation has not issued any such order but some private schools have declared holiday.

10:38am IST

Several schools shut in Thane, Kalyan and Dombivli

Most private schools in Thane, Kalyan and Dombivli have kept shut as precautionary measure.

10:30am IST

Smooth traffic on Sion-Panvel highway

The Sion-Panvel highway has seen smooth flow of traffic since morning

10:25am IST

Heavy police presence at Kalamboli-Mumbai Pune eway

Heavy police bandobast at Kalamboli - Mumbai Pune Expressway entry point where large scale violence took place on July 25; shopkeepers cautious as they wait outside their shops

Police officials at the Kalamboli - Mumbai Pune Expressway entry point ( HT Photo )

10:20am IST

State road transport buses not plying in Pune

Following statewide bandh called by Maratha Kranti Morcha over demand for #MarathaReservation, Buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, not plying as a precautionary measure in Pune pic.twitter.com/FDbs4VoCfO

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

10:12am IST

Domestic airlines issue advisories

Several domestic airlines have issued advisories for passengers in view of the Maharashtra bandh called by Maratha groups seeking reservation in jobs.

10am IST

Internet services suspended in 7 Pune tehsils

Internet services have been suspended in 7 tehsils of Pune district- Shirur, Khed, Baramati, Junnar, Maval, Daund and Bhor, as a precautionary measure.

9:40am IST

Intercity route buses off roads

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has kept it’s Intercity route buses off roads fearing vandalism as during Maratha agitation.

9:30am IST

Suburban trains running normally

Suburban trains on all four corridors in Mumbai running normally up till now.

9:20am IST

Navi Mumbai peaceful

Navi Mumbai peaceful, autos on roads, trains running, most shops opening; strict police bandobast in place.