Thousands of Maratha Protesters Jam Mumbai Roads in Support of Reservation Demand
Thousands of Maratha protesters converged on the streets of Mumbai, jamming roads and causing severe traffic delays, as they demanded reservation for their community. The protesters, mainly from Beed, Parbhani, and Hingoli districts of Maharashtra, poured into the city to support Manoj Jarange Patil, who began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan to press for their demand. The rally disrupted major thoroughfares, including those outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and in areas such as Worli and Byculla, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Key Takeaways:
- Around 10,000 protesters spread across south Mumbai, blocking traffic at multiple junctions and major thoroughfares, including Marine Drive and P D'Mello Road.
- The protesters, mostly from Beed, Parbhani, and Hingoli districts, carried rations and food packets to sustain themselves during the rally.
- Traffic police personnel reported that commuters across the city, especially those trying to reach offices in south Mumbai, faced severe delays and congestion.
- Extra police force was deployed to clear the jams, but vehicular movement was heavily affected, particularly from Vashi, Trombay, and nearby areas into South Mumbai.
- Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Anil Kumbhare reported that around 2,000 traffic police were on the road, managing traffic and requesting protesters to clear the area.
Statistics:
- 10,000: The estimated number of protesters who spread across south Mumbai, blocking traffic at multiple junctions and major thoroughfares.
- 50-100: The numbers of protesters who were roaming in groups, blocking traffic at each and every junction.
- 2,000: The number of traffic police personnel deployed on the road to manage traffic and request protesters to clear the area.
- 24/28: The roads leading to Azad Maidan that were blocked by protesters since 4 am.
Sources:
- A traffic police personnel
- Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic