Maratha Stir: Pune Schools, Colleges to Remain Shut on 9 August

Schools and colleges in Pune district will remain shut on 9 August ahead of protests by Maratha groups.

Image for representational purpose.

(Photo: PTI)

Schools in Pune district will remain shut on 9 August ahead of the call for protests given by Maratha organisations demanding reservation.

The Pune district collector Naval Kishore Ram made the announcement after a meeting with police officials and representatives of Maratha organisations.

The meeting was called ahead of agitation on 7 August. Through this meeting, we appeal to the representatives to carry out the agitation in peaceful manner without resorting to violence.

reported <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-maratha-quota-stir-pune-schools-and-colleges-remain-shut-on-august-9-2646828">DNA</a>

Heavy Police Deployment to Prevent Violence

Beefing up the security measures, Maharashtra police are gearing up to prevent violence with the help of heavy police deployment during the Bandh (shut-down) called by Maratha organisations, an official told PTI.

There would be a heavy deployment of security personnel, especially in sensitive pockets where violence had taken place during the agitation earlier.

Senior police official told PTI

The Union Home Ministry has provided additional security forces to the state.

"We had demanded 15 companies. But the Centre has sent seven companies -- six of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and one company of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)," the official said.

The state police force has a strength of two lakh including the State Reserve Police Force personnel, he said.

Home Guards too will be deployed to assist police, he said.

"People will be allowed to stage protests peacefully. We are appealing people not to take law into their hands and not to believe any kinds of rumours," he said.

“If they find any suspicious activity, it should be reported to the police immediately,” he said.

“There would be video shooting of protests. These videos and CCTV footage will help police identify criminals and mischief-mongers who may try to take advantage and indulge in violence,” the official said.

“Want Assurance from Fadnavis in Writing”

The Maratha outfits have refused to call off the protest depite a reassurance made by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on 5 August announcing completion of process allowing reservations for the Maratha community by November end this year.

The protestors maintain that they will not call off “Maharashtra Bandh” unless they get an assurance from CM Fadnavis in writing. “We will not back down from the protest until we get a written undertaking from the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary that the quota would be implemented by November end,” said Raghunath Chitre Patil, one of the convenors of the Maratha Kranti Morcha, to The Economic Times.

Maharashtra has been witnessing a string of protests by Maratha outfits demanding reservation from the government by protests. The protests organised by several Maratha groups like Maratha Kranti Morcha, held in July 2018, have triggered violence in Maharashtra and have claimed lives of three so far.