Large-scale violence marred a state-wide protest today by Maratha outfits demanding reservation for the community in Maharashtra, where a constable died and nine other policemen were injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators.
Stone-pelting and arson were reported from several parts of the state, which remained on edge today and braced for a Mumbai bandh tomorrow.
Agitators clashed with the police and torched vehicles at several places, while Internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad district to prevent any untoward incident. In Jalna, the police fired in the air to scatter protesters.
As the stir for reservation in jobs and education intensified, the Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation, is taking its battle to Mumbai where it has called for the shutdown. Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for a bandh tomorrow in Navi Mumbai and Panvel as well.
The impact of today's bandh was more visible in Aurangabad and adjoining districts in the central region of the state, a day after the death of a protester.
Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state's population, has been a hugely contentious issue.
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A constable deployed near the funeral venue of the protester who jumped to death yesterday, died. Police said the cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
"The postmortem report is awaited. Some injury marks were seen on his hands and legs," a police official said, adding another constable there got injured in stone-pelting.
Protester Kakasaheb Shinde (27) had jumped to death from a bridge over the Godavari in Aurangabad yesterday.
Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire faced the ire of the protesters when he went to attend his last rites at his Kaygaon village today.
Khaire was manhandled by the crowd and had to beat a hasty retreat, police said, adding there was stone pelting on his car too.
The police at the venue caned protesters and lobbed tear gas shells, Aurangabad SP Arti Singh told PTI. "The situation in Aurangabad is under control. Police are alert to avert any unwanted incident."