MUMBAI: The
Maharashtra administration chose not to use strong-arm methods, barring the occasional lathi charge, to avoid provoking
Maratha quota agitators. Teargas shells and rubber bullets were used in Navi Mumbai. Fearing that the situation would go out of hand, pro-quota
Maratha groups called off the bandh around 3pm, much before the deadline. But political repercussions were seen through the day; the resignations by the two MLAs adding to the drama.
The epicentre of the violence was Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai where protesters shut down movement of traffic on the
Pune Expressway. A group also attacked a police chowky at nearby Koparkhairne, burning furniture and vehicles. At Mankhurd, a mob hurled petrol bottles at a BEST bus, setting it on fire. No one was injured.
Many shops in the suburbs, Thane and Navi Mumbai downed shutters while vendors stayed off the streets.
Most schools in Thane and Kalyan remained shut while those in Mumbai were open. Wholesale markets were shut for a day, affecting supplies of commodities. Virendra Pawar, a convener of the Maratha Morcha, said his organisation wanted to showcase their unity through the bandh and press for their demands. "We had called for a peaceful protest but there were people from outside our fold who tried to incite violence and give the protest a violent face," he said. CM
Devendra Fadnavis said the government is open to discussion and committed to giving the community reservation.
