Maratha reservation: Protesters torch buses, attack vehicles on Pune-Nashik highway

PUNE: Protesters demanding reservation for Marathas in jobs and education on Monday set ablaze buses and attacked other vehicles on the Pune-Nashik highway. The Police fired teargas to disperse the protestors and control the situation after the agitation which began at 11 am turned violent in Chakan locality, about 40 kms from here. At least 10 public transport buses were attacked and some set afire by the agitated mob, which also indulged in stone-pelting. Later, Section 144 has been imposed in the area, prohibiting assembly of more than four people. Some Maratha organisations had given a call for a bandh in Chakan area and a rally was carried out. Quick Response Teams have been moved to the violence affected area, police said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had on Saturday said a special session of the Maharashtra legislature would be convened to pass "a law or a resolution" regarding reservation for the Marathas. Fadnavis also appealed for peace in the state, rocked by violent protests over the quota issue this week, and announced withdrawal of certain cases against the members of the community, seeking a 16-per cent reservation in government jobs and education. A large part of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and the Marathwada region, saw widespread violence during the protests by the Maratha community this week. The violence began after a 27-year-old protester from Aurangabad jumped to death in the Godavari river on July 23. Half a dozen MLAs from different political parties have announced their resignation to express solidarity with the community.