Protesters demand Maratha quota, attack vehicles in Mumbai

Protesters today attacked public buses in India's financial hub Mumbai and neighbouring areas as a general strike called by Maratha outfits to press their demand for reservation in jobs and education got underway. 

Quotas for Marathas, a politically- influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of Maharashtra's population, has been a highly divisive issue, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Two buses were attacked by agitators in two suburbs of Mumbai leading to partial suspension of bus services in those areas, an official of the transport department said.

Protesters also hurled stones at a public transport bus in neighbouring Thane city and blocked traffic in some areas, including a key street intersection, resulting in long queues of vehicles on the road leading to Mumbai during rush hours.

A bus was also attacked in Navi Mumbai following which the city transport authority suspended its services in the area, our correspondent reports quoting an official.

Agitators gathered at various locations in the Mumbai region and neighbouring Raigad and Palghar districts.

At some places, protesters raised slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil for allegedly insulting the sentiments of the Maratha community.

The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts.

Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for the bandh in Navi Mumbai and Panvel areas.

Yesterday, widespread violence marred a state-wide protest by Maratha outfits demanding reservation for the community.

A constable died and nine other policemen were injured amid suicide attempt by three agitators during the violence.

Agitators had clashed with the police and torched vehicles at several places, while Internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad district.

Fadnavis had cancelled his visit to a temple in Pandharpur on Monday after protesters threatened to disrupt the event.

Despite assurances from Fadnavis, nothing concrete has been done till now over the demands, community leaders have claimed.