Maratha Reservation: 500 Protesters Booked For Blocking Pune-Bengaluru Highway, Setting Tyres Ablaze

The Pune police have registered offences against nearly 500 activists of outfits supporting Maratha reservation for blocking a stretch of the Pune-Bengaluru Highway and setting tyres ablaze, officials said on Wednesday.

Protesters blocked the highway stretch near Navale Bridge between 12.15pm and 2.45pm on Tuesday and burnt tyres to press their demand for reservation to Marathas, police said.

The police said they have registered offences against 400 to 500 activists of the Maratha Kranti Morcha and Sakal Maratha Morcha on various charges, including causing danger to the lives of others and spreading fear among commuters.

The activists have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Maharashtra Police Act and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, the police added.

'Mashal Morcha' organised in support of Manoj Jarange

The Sakal Maratha Samaj organised a 'mashal morcha' in support of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange in Talawade Budruk on Tuesday.

The rally witnessed slogans like "Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha," "Aarakshan Amcha Hakkacha, Nahi Konacha Bapacha," and "Manoj Jarange Tum Aage Badho, Hum Tumhare Saath Hai" resounding through the streets.

Notably, the event drew participants of all ages, including women and children.

Internet suspended in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, liquor sale banned

Due to the tense situation resulting from the ongoing Maratha reservation agitation, the state home department has issued directives to suspend internet services in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, excluding Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city.

This suspension of internet services will impact several tehsils, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sillod, Soyegaon, Gangapur, Vaijapur, Khuldabad, Paithan, Kannad, and Phulambri. The order will come into effect at 6am on November 1 and remain in force until 6am on November 3.

Additionally, the district collector, Astik Kumar Pandey, has issued an order to prohibit the sale of liquor in the district on Tuesday and Wednesday. The district administration has stated that those who breach this order will face penalties.